Minister Kruse along with other officials during the stakeholder consultation meet at the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Chümoukedima on June 29.
Dimapur, June 29 (MExN): Policymakers, scientists, academicians and senior government officials on Monday met at the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Jharnapani, to prepare a strategic action plan for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, with agriculture identified as the cornerstone of the state's future development.
According to an update, the stakeholder consultation aimed to develop a roadmap for sustainable agricultural growth, rural prosperity and inclusive development, with emphasis on innovation, climate resilience and scientific interventions.
Welcoming the participants, Head of Regional Centre Dr H Kalita said collective planning and institutional collaboration were essential for transforming Nagaland's agriculture into a resilient and income-generating sector. He said agriculture and allied sectors would play a key role in ensuring food security, improving farmers' livelihoods and driving the state's economic growth.
In his opening remarks, Director of the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Dr G Kadirvel stressed the need for science-led, evidence-based planning and greater convergence among research institutions, government departments and development agencies. He said innovation, climate-smart agriculture and technology adoption would be crucial to achieving the Viksit Bharat vision.
Delivering the keynote address, Vice-Chancellor of VCSG Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry Dr B P Bhatt highlighted the need to integrate indigenous crops and medicinal plants into farming systems while making agriculture more profitable and sustainable. He also stressed strengthening linkages between scientists and farmers.
Nagaland Minister for Water Resources and Horticulture Salhoutuonuo Kruse reaffirmed the state government's commitment to accelerating agricultural transformation through farmer-centric policies, improved infrastructure, climate-smart technologies and stronger value chains. She said the vision of Viksit Bharat could only be achieved through collective efforts and active participation of all stakeholders.
An in-house brainstorming session chaired by Dr Kadirvel focused on preparing a practical action plan for Nagaland, identifying priorities such as improving agricultural productivity, promoting natural resource conservation, strengthening research-extension linkages, encouraging agri-entrepreneurship and expanding the adoption of modern technologies.
In his concluding remarks, Agriculture Production Commissioner Dr Zasekuolie Chusi called for greater coordination among government departments, research institutions and development agencies to translate the action plan into measurable outcomes that improve farmers' incomes, strengthen food security and promote sustainable agricultural growth.
The meeting was attended by directors, joint directors, senior state government officials, heads of State Agricultural Universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras, scientists, chief technical officers, subject matter specialists, assistant professors, technical officers and staff from various institutions.
The programme concluded with participants resolving to develop a science-driven and actionable roadmap to empower farmers, strengthen agriculture and advance Nagaland's contribution to the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.
