Nagaland: Farmers receive vegetable seeds under Tribal Sub-Plan

Dimapur, March 13 (MExN): AICRP (Vegetable Crops), Nagaland Centre, SASRD, NU under TSP (Tribal Sub Plan) conducted a programme where vegetable seeds for kitchen garden were distributed to interested farmers at New Socüünoma, Zhuikhu and Hekheshe village on March 12.

The main objective of kitchen gardening is to produce fresh and nutritious vegetables for a family throughout the year and better utilization of the surrounding land and kitchen water, said a press release received here.

Looking at the consumption and production rate of vegetables in Nagaland and their importance in nutritional and livelihood security, Prof Akali Sema, in-charge, TSP (Vegetable) and Scientists of AICRP (VC), Department of Horticulture, SASRD, NU felt the need to encourage kitchen gardening among tribal farmers of Nagaland.

About 280 farmers were distributed kitchen garden kits which contained seeds of 10 different vegetables crops viz Bottle gourd, Bitter gourd, Pumpkin, Sponge gourd, Cucumber, Tomato, Brinjal, Chilli, Palak and Cowpea.

The farmers were also informed that the best performing kitchen gardeners would be provided with various items related to kitchen garden. The villagers expressed gratitude to AICRP-VC, SASRD: NU for initiating the programme for their village and assured full cooperation for the success of the programme.