Nagaland APC Y Kikheto Sema.
Kohima, December 21 (MExN): The Nagaland Agriculture Production Commissioner advised the farmers of the state to make judicious and sustainable use of land by adopting proper land-use planning for increasing ecological and livelihood security.
Issuing a six-point farmers’ advisory on Tuesday, the APC Y Kikheto Sema said although the traditional jhum cultivation is a way of life for the Nagas, it is neither economically remunerable nor ecologically sustainable in the long run.
With the onslaught of COVID-19 pandemic and drought-like situation in the current year, he said the Farmers’ Advisory services was essential as farmers may have to change from the traditional farming to improved modern farming practices as a way of adapting to the changing climate scenario.
In the advisory, farmers were asked to conserve or preserve hilltops and steep areas of landscape and watersheds which would serve as moisture recharging zones for downstream areas. Conservation of the hill tops would immensely help not only to cope with the water stress issues and augment crop productivity but stabilise the ecological fragile areas and prevent landslides, the advisory stated.
It also recommended diversification of crops by cultivating climate resilient crops and mixed cropping in order to cope with uncertainty of climatic factors, so that farmers safeguard themselves against mono crop culture failure.
The farmers may also convert their jhum plots to alternative farming like cash crops such as vegetable, fruit crops, agro-forestry, coffee, large cardamom, tree plantation etc, it said.
It also encouraged farmers to identify potential areas for settled farming near the water bodies and emphasise on spring shed approach, catchment area treatment and other similar intervention etc.
In terms of seed production and distribution, it said that during the drought-like situation, the State Government through the Department of Agriculture, Horticulture and FOCUS project have distributed seeds to almost all villages in the State. However, it noted that the Government may not be able to provide required seeds at all times, and therefore, advised the farming community to revive the age-old tradition of preservation and management of seeds by preserving the best mother plant and its produce for seed storage. The mothers and women are urged to continue to be the best ‘Seed Keepers,’ the advisory stated.
Stating that Soil Testing Laboratories have been established in 11 districts and the Mini Soil Testing Labs are expected to be set up in all the 74 blocks, it advised the farmers use the facilities and ascertain the soil health status so that the Officers and Scientists of the agri & allied departments, Krishi Vikash Kendras (KVKs) etc., can guide the farmers to manage their soil and manage other soil amendment.
Additionally, the APC appealed to all the concerned farmers, village councils, civil societies, church organisations and officials of agri & allied departments, KVKs, ICAR etc., to create mass awareness so that the farming system is improved and prepared for any eventualities in the coming years.
