Limalenden Longkumer
Mokokchung | March 9
Taking on an uncommon venture that could possibly become a trend in the district, a village church in Mokokchung is joining hands with the government in a bid to promote horticulture as an alternative source of livelihood for villagers.
Chuchuyimpang village, situated just about 5 kilometres from the district headquarter has over the past few years made strides in horticultural production, particularly after 2009 – the year of the Chuchuyimpang Baptist Church Centennial celebration. The church, amply assisted by the village’s council has been encouraging villagers to take up horticulture as a principal occupation.
The Horticulture Mission Director of Nagaland, Dr.Benjong Aier has showered appreciation on the church for its initiative and encouraged the villagers to make Chuchuyimpang village a “horticulture model village.” He said this while delivering the key note address at a seminar on “Sustainable development of horticulture crops” organized by the Chuchuyimpang Baptist Church and sponsored by the District Horticulture Office, Mokokchung. The Horticulture Mission Director also added that the Church, the horticulture department and the farmers must jointly work together, while also advising the farmers to pay heed to the instructions given by the department. He also said that the farmers in Nagaland approach the government only for subsidies without having genuine zeal for farming. He also cited several examples of Naga farmers where they gave up their farms simply because the department ceased providing subsidy, a practice he believed must be done away with.
About 110 farmers and church workers attended the day’s seminar held at the CBC Conference Hall. The Director with the help of visual aids imparted on the seminar attendees the prospects and opportunities that remain to be tapped in the field of horticulture in Nagaland. He also expressed optimism that marketing and disposal of agro products would be streamlined by the next 4 or 5 years, encouraging the farmers to hold no reservations in developing their farms. It may be mentioned here that many Naga farmers in the past have experienced huge losses as their produces could not be marketed owing to lack of marketing linkages. He pointed out that Nagaland was made up of many villages and added that if the villages grew, Nagaland would also grow.
Meanwhile, the District Horticulture Officer of Mokokchung, Kilemsungba, while speaking on the topic “Sustainable development of fruits and vegetables” explained that “everything is ready for sustainable development of horticulture crops “in the state but added that the only thing missing is the genuine farmer. He explained that world scientists have made breakthrough discoveries and that there is ready market for Nagaland’s horticultural produce. He advised that the farmer must decide where to sell his produce the moment he decides on taking up horticulture. “Plan ahead,” he said. He also gave the illustration of Mokokchung district alone consuming rupees 3.6 crores worth of chillies annually, of which only rupees 1 crores worth is locally produced. The DHO also encouraged the farmers not to be apprehensive of marketing their produce as, he believed, local young educated people will soon venture in to the lucrative agri-business.
