Nagaland Minister Salhoutuonuo Kruse addressing the two-day National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign 2026 in New Delhi.
Kohima, September 29 (MExN): Nagaland Minister for Women Resources Development and Horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse, has called for greater flexibility in the implementation of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) in the northeastern states.
Addressing the two-day National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign 2026 in New Delhi, she said that a uniform approach to cost norms, admissible components and implementation models may not adequately address the region’s distinct needs.
According to press release issued by the media team, Kruse said horticulture plays an important role in the livelihoods of people in Nagaland and the wider Northeast, which has considerable potential because of its diverse agro-climatic conditions, rich biodiversity, favourable climate and traditional farming knowledge.
The region, she said, is well suited for a wide range of fruits, vegetables, spices and other high-value horticultural crops. For Nagaland, horticulture could also help diversify livelihoods and raise farmers’ incomes, particularly through the development of indigenous products with strong regional identity and market potential.
She highlighted that Naga King Chilli, Naga Tree Tomato and Naga Cucumber, along with other indigenous crops could be further developed through improved production, processing, branding and market support.
Kruse also pointed to the potential for organic and natural horticulture in the Northeast, as well as greater opportunities in processing and value addition. Crops such as pineapple, kiwi, passion fruit, ginger, turmeric and vegetables, she said, could generate better returns for farmers if appropriate value chains and markets were developed.
At the same time, she noted that the region faces significant challenges. Difficult terrain, scattered settlements and landholdings, inadequate connectivity, high transportation costs and limited storage and cold-chain infrastructure make horticultural development more difficult and expensive.
She stressed the need to strengthen the entire horticulture value chain, beginning with quality planting material and production and extending to aggregation, post-harvest management, processing, value addition, branding, marketing and exports.
According to Kruse, greater support is required for irrigation and water management, nurseries, protected cultivation, post-harvest and cold-chain infrastructure, processing, transportation and market linkages.
She also called for greater attention to GI-tagged and indigenous products. While geographical identity and regional branding can help commercialise the Northeast’s unique products, she said GI registration should not remain merely a certification exercise.
“GI registration should be supported by production, quality planting material, processing, value addition, packaging, branding, market promotion and market access,” she said, stressing that the ultimate objective should be to ensure that the benefits reach farmers.
Kruse further highlighted the growing impact of climate change on agriculture, including changes in crop calendars, water availability, pest and disease incidence and productivity. She advocated greater adoption of protected cultivation, climate-resilient varieties, water conservation, integrated pest and disease management, soil-health management and other climate-smart technologies.
However, she identified greater flexibility under MIDH for the northeastern states as the key issue she wanted to place before the Government of India.
She pointed out that the geographical, agro-climatic and socio-economic conditions of the Northeast differ considerably from those of the plains. As a result, a uniform approach may not always reflect the actual requirements of farmers in the region.
Kruse suggested greater flexibility in reallocating funds among admissible components according to field-level requirements. She also sought flexibility for states to select crops and varieties based on local suitability, market demand and emerging opportunities.
Such flexibility, she said, would enable northeastern states to use available resources more effectively and move from a fragmented approach towards an integrated and commercially viable horticulture value chain.
The Nagaland government, she added, believes that with appropriate support and greater flexibility under MIDH, the Northeast can better utilise its horticultural potential, create employment, reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ incomes.
Kruse reaffirmed the commitment of the Nagaland government and the Department of Horticulture to work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and expressed hope for continued cooperation in advancing horticulture in Nagaland and the Northeast.
