Action Plan for mitigating drought

Dimapur, July 16 (MExN): The state has finally woken up to the delayed and short rainfall in Nagaland. The committee on calamity relief is to immediately work out an action plan for mitigation measures and also approach the Government of India for necessary assistance to affected farmers

It is reported that the state has recorded only 40 percent of rainfall and 15 percent of Jhum cultivation in the hills and 25 percent of terraced fields have been adversely affected.  Agriculture Production Commissioner Alemtemshi Jamir today stated that Nagaland normally receives an average rainfall of 750.50 mm during the period from January to  July. But the rainfall has been 471.18 mm for the corresponding period during the year 2009, indicating a variation of 37.10 percent. 

The period from January to July is the period when rainfall is most crucial for cultivation purposes in Nagaland especially paddy which is the major crop in the state. The shortage is adversely affecting 15% of the Jhum cultivations and 25% of the WTRC (wet terrace rice cultivation) as presently assessed, Jamir informed. 

The APC also  said that the delay in the rains have had extensive effect on the cultivation of other horticultural crops in Nagaland, especially  vegetables, passion fruit, aromatic plants like lemon grass and “even spices such as cardamom are reported at 50% to 80% mortality”. 

The long gestation crops such as citrus and fruits are showing signs of failure to flow which will affect eventual fruiting. Besides, there are infestation of crops by unusual pests and insects in several areas of the state. 

In this connection, the APC, while informing that the state has declared on July 15 that ‘drought like condition is prevailing in the state of Nagaland’, said that the committee on calamity relief shall immediately work out an action plan for mitigation measures and also approach the Government of India for necessary assistance to the affected farmers.