In a step towards enhancing agricultural income and regional development, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh launched a vision document on “Income Generation from Banana Cultivation in Wokha District” during his official visit to Wokha on Monday.
Singh while addressing a public gathering on the occasion encouraged innovation in agriculture and highlighted the need for diversification in farming practices. He called for cultivation of different varieties of banana, reiterating the district’s recognition of banana as its official “One District One Product” (ODOP). Dr Singh said that tapping into the potential of banana farming could significantly raise household incomes and contribute to local economic growth.
While acknowledging developmental gaps between the Northeast and other parts of India, Dr Singh stated that the region had witnessed transformative changes over the past decade.
He also highlighted improved industrial engagement and job creation resulting in new opportunities emerging for youth through increased private sector interest.
He also said the centre was actively working to address the Nagaland-Assam border issues using advanced space technology and satellite imaging to reach a long-term, peaceful resolution.
He also expressed concern over the issue of increasing drug abuse and referred to Mizoram as a model, where civil society had played a leading role in curbing the drug menace. He called upon civil bodies in Wokha to adopt a similar approach and strengthen community-based interventions.
Regarding environmental and wildlife challenges, Dr Singh acknowledged the rising human-elephant conflict in Wokha and assured that a meeting would soon be convened by the central government to explore concrete solutions.
Referring to regional infrastructure and development, he expressed concern over the lack of technology support and emphasised the importance of socio-economic transformation.
Dr Singh said the purpose of his visit was to identify challenges firsthand – ranging from healthcare and education to connectivity and infrastructure – and to ensure that these were addressed with timely interventions and central assistance.
He was accompanied by four legislators from Wokha district– deputy chief minister Y Patton, adviser Mhathung Yanthan, and YM Humtsoe and Achumbemo Kikon.
The minister’s visit was aimed at understanding grassroots challenges faced by the people in Wokha and the broader northeastern region.
Delivering the welcome address, Deputy Commissioner Wokha district Vineet Kumar presented a detailed profile of the district. He also highlighted poor road connectivity, institutional infrastructure gaps, unbanked administrative blocks, unsettled interstate border disputes, depleting water resources, human-elephant conflicts, and drug-related issues.
The programme also featured speeches by key community leaders, including the chairman of Lotha Hoho and presidents of the Eloe Hoho, and the Lotha Students’ Union. The civil society representatives reiterated the community’s commitment to progress and appealed for greater governmental support.
Presentation of reports were made by Public Health Engineering, Health & Family Welfare, Rural Development, Industries & Commerce, Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Education, Horticulture, Fisheries, and Food & Civil Supplies Departmental.
According to DIPR, Dr. Singh took note of the detailed feedback presented and interacted directly with departmental officials and stakeholders.
Wokha dist legislators submit demands
DIMAPUR, JUN 16 (NPN): Four legislators of Wokha district have submitted a representation addressed to Dr. Jitendra Singh, union minister of state for science & technology, Earth Science, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, and Atomic Energy & Department of Space Dr Jitendra Singh regarding development of Wokha district.
In their demand, the four legislators- deputy CM and 37 Tiyi Assembly constituency (AC) legislator Y Patton; adviser Agriculture Mhathung Yanthan, MLA 39 Sanis AC; Y Mhonbemo Humtsoe, MLA 38 Wokha AC and Achumbemo Kikon, Wokha SDPDB chairman and MLA 40 Bhandari AC demanded–(1) declaration of Wokha-Merapani Road as national highway (NH) since the road leading up to Golaghat was a vital link road that connected Nagaland with Assam and (2) upgradation of Wokha-Bokajan Road, infrastructure development in Wokha district headquarters, and (3) a comprehensive policy and package to address human-elephant conflict.
They said declaring the Wokha- Merapani road as NH, would receive the necessary attention and resources leading to enhanced connectivity and economic growth. They requested Dr. Singh to personally take up the matter with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and PMO for consideration and declaration of Wokha-Merapani up to Golaghat road as NH.
They also pointed out that the Wokha-Bokajan Road was another alternative road for the inhabitants of Wokha district and other adjoining districts of Nagaland, serving as a lifeline as it also connected Assam. The MLAs said the road was being utilised by nine districts– Wokha, Mokokchung, Tuensang, Zunheboto, Tseminyu, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire and Shamator, besides serving as the shortest route to Dimapur, the state’s commercial hub.
As this road required urgent attention as it was presently almost non-pliable owing to constant land erosion and mudslides, they requested the minister to upgrade the road on a priority basis.
They also called for infrastructure development such as- district office complex, multipurpose market complex, stadium, and approach roads at Wokha town. The legislators argued that the development of these infrastructure projects would greatly enhance the quality of life in the district headquarters and stimulate economic growth. They emphasised that these were essential for catering to the current and future needs of the community, particularly the Lotha tribe with a population of 1.60 lakh as per the 2011 Census.
The four MLAs also said another pressing issue affecting the lives and livelihoods of many residents in various districts of Nagaland was the elephant menace, especially in Wokha district.
They said elephants were an integral part of the natural heritage and noted that the increasing instances of human-elephant conflict posed significant challenges to the communities. They said crop destruction, property damage, and potential threats to human safety had become common occurrences, leading to distress among farmers and local residents.
In order to address these issues the four appealed for a comprehensive policy and special package from the central government.