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Advisor, Mhathung Yanthan speaking at the first Hortipreneurs Meet on Marketing of Horticulture produces at Hotel Japfü, Kohima on February 6. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, February 6 (MExN): The Department of Horticulture organized the first Hortipreneurs Meet on Marketing of Horticulture produces at Hotel Japfü, Kohima on February 6.
In his keynote address, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Horticulture, Y Kikheto Sema, IAS said the programme was to meet and encourage the farmers and entrepreneurs of Nagaland and also to help the Government of Nagaland in policy making.
Stating that Nagaland has less scope for large and medium scale industries, he said that the main scope is agro-based industries. He further added that farmers should take up horticulture crops which are sustainable, ecologically friendly and economically viable. Kikheto told the entrepreneurs and farmers present that their first target should be the state itself and learn how to manage their business within the state first and gradually focus on the rest of the nation and the world.
He mentioned that through horticulture produces, there will be a large amount of employment generation and urged the entrepreneurs from different districts to come together and cooperate for the benefit of everyone.
Sema also said that the department will be identifying the different types of produces in all the districts and will be putting in check the overlapping of activities in the State. The Department will also facilitate air and train cargos for shipping the horticulture crops to the rest of the country and plans are also on to open outlets in metro cities and at airports. He asked the entrepreneurs to interact with the officials and give suggestions for the potential of horticulture produces.
Director of Horticulture & Mission Director (MIDH), Dr R Elithung Lotha chaired the programme where he stated that India is the 2nd highest producer of fruits in the world and that 11% of vegetables grow in India.
He stressed on how the farmers and entrepreneurs in Nagaland should take advantage of horticulture produces in order to encourage employment and agriculture in the state.
In the interactive session, the entrepreneurs shared their experiences and market linkages for horticulture produces were discussed.
