A felicitation cum graduation programme was organised by the department of Soil & Water Conservation for Minister for Soil & Water Conservation, Geology & Mining, V. Kashiho Sangtam. According to a report from PA to the Minister, Kashiho congratulated the 42 passing out Soil Conservation Assistant (SCA) trainees, and urged the students to use the knowledge they had gained, to alleviate the problems faced by farmers of rural areas.
Kashiho also stated that, since most farmers were not aware of the scientific advancements of the farming sector, he asked the students to share the technical know-how they had acquired with the farmers at the grassroot levels.
Speaking on the importance of why soil and water conservation had become the need of the hour, the Minister pointed out that soil and water were two basic resources which were under intense pressure from the increasing population.
He also added that the management of these two natural resources greatly affect social and economic structure of a village and the whole state. He maintained that soil fertility needed to be restored in order to allow a satisfactory and early return of the capital and labour invested.
“A new strategy needs to be developed taking in to account the needs of those in direct charge of the land as economic development is always associated with proper management of water resources” he added.
Kashiho mentioned that ‘good governance’ should be a parameter for development and urged the officers to work with sincerity.
K. Zhekheto Awomi, while giving a report on activities of the department, stated that Soil and Water Conservation Training Institute,Sechu Zubza was established in 1972 and so far 421 students had passed out.
The programme was chaired by Vikeyie Kenya Commissioner & Secretary for Soil & Water Conservation Govt. Of Nagaland while a vote of thanks was proposed by Myansao Lotha.