CM Neiphiu Rio. (File Photo)
Focus on agri sector for a self-sustaining economy, says CM
Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 18
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that the budget for the year 2021-22 was affected by the financial crisis caused by the pandemic.
However, seeing the steady pace of recovery of the country’s economy and high expectations of a resurgent growth in the year ahead, I have fixed the State Developmental Outlay for 2021-22 at Rs 700 crore, Rio said.
Rio said this is an increase of 9.55% over the Plan size of 2020-21 and done even at the cost of increasing the deficit, because the State is passing through a time when the economy needs adequate capital investment to provide an impetus for the much needed growth to take place.
To ensure a ‘smooth flow of Central funds,’ Rio allocated Rs 250 crore towards State Matching Share for Central Schemes including that of DoNER and NEC.
“This will enable us to access greater funding under CSS programmes to boost the pace of our development. The Government has also made efforts to tap funding for roads and other key infrastructure projects under the scheme of Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure with Rs 200 crore interest free loan assistance,” Rio said.
Rio said that several new and ongoing projects including improvement of district headquarter roads are being undertaken under this program.
Further, under 15th Finance Commission Awards, several projects for improvement of health infrastructure, road maintenance, construction of High Court Complex, new Raj Bhavan, mini landing strips and improvement of facilities for fire services in the districts will be taken up from 2021-22 onwards.
“I am also keeping a provision of Rs 307.31 crore for Externally Aided Projects,” he added.
Agri and Horti Sector development
Meanwhile, Rio stressed that the agri and allied sector is going to be the most important aspect of the strategy towards achieving a self-sustaining economy.
The Government is working on an innovative model of cluster agri development called Naga Integrated Settled Farming (NISF) with the first project already in Boke Botsa area and plan for other districts also.
“My Government is establishing Farmer Markets in all the districts aimed at promoting local products, organic food and a chain that ensures farm to market, and farm to table links without the middlemen. We also aim to make them tourist attractions as the markets will also have space for traditional products, handlooms and handicrafts and food joints. The Government is also supporting entrepreneurs who have taken up enterprises that are aimed at home deliveries and online firms,” Rio said.
The Department of Agriculture has been provided an allocation of Rs 665 lakh. Of this Rs300 lakh is earmarked for construction of 65 numbers of community agriculture farm roads.
Noting that the State is looking forward to a healthy increase in food grain production, he informed that against 7, 48,870 MT in 2019-20, the expected production during 2020-21 is 8, 33,770 MT, signifying an 11.33% rise over the previous year.
The Department of Horticulture has been provided Rs 300 lakh. This includes Rs200 lakh earmarked for horti-Link roads and Rs100 lakh for other earmarked activities.
Under Mission Organic Value Chain for North Eastern Region the department will promote cultivation of dragon fruit in Dimapur, avocados in Kohima, apples in Kiphire, spices in Wokha, ginger in Mon and bananas in Mokokchung during 2021-22. It will help farmers to aggregate and collectively market their produce and also create room for export. To revive the State’s economy post COVID-19 pandemic, the department is developing 100 vegetable villages for 10,000 households, strengthening post-harvest and value addition infrastructure for fruits and vegetables and promoting mushroom cultivation.
The Sericulture Department has been provided Rs 327.84 lakh. Of this Rs 177.84 lakh is earmarked for Farmers Development and Rs 100 lakh for Implementation of Silk Processing Unit.
