Nagaland: Central team explores Arecanut potential in Peren

A Central team led by deputy director, Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Calicut, Kerala, Babulal Meena, along with senior scientist, Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), West Bengal, Dr. A.K. Sit, and scientist CPCRI, Guwahati, Leichombam S. Singh, visited Peren district on December 16 for an arecanut cultivation feasibility study.
According to DIPR report, the team conducted site visits to the DPDB-declared Ngwalwa Arecanut Village and Heningkunglwa village.
Following the field visits, a stakeholders’ meeting was held at the Village Council Hall, Ngwalwa, chaired by EAC Ngwalwa, Sizin Renttah. The meeting was attended by government officials, village leaders and local stakeholders.
During the meeting, the Central team informed that recommendations would be made to the Ministry for introducing advanced production technologies, establishing nurseries for quality planting materials, developing infrastructure, and creating marketing linkages with South India.
The team also proposed developing Ngwalwa area—including Heningkunglwa, Ngwalwa, Gaili Namdi, Gaili and Punglwa villages—as an Arecanut Hub. Intercropping of arecanut with spices such as black pepper and cocoa was suggested to enhance farmers’ income and promote sustainable cultivation practices.