Dignitaries who attended the meet in Kohim
Kohima, September 23 (MExN): A Regional Stakeholders Meet for the Himalayan Agro-ecology Initiative was organized by Alliance Biodiversity International & CIAT at the Directorate of Agriculture in Kohima. The meeting aimed to create a roadmap for sustainable agriculture in Nagaland, a region renowned for its traditional practices.
In his inaugural address, Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor for Agriculture, emphasized the importance of sustainable agricultural methods, particularly Jhum cultivation, which has been a cornerstone of Nagaland’s agricultural heritage. He acknowledged the increasing challenges posed by climate change and stressed the necessity of adopting agroecological methods to enhance productivity and resilience in farming practices. Yanthan assured attendees of the Government of Nagaland's commitment to supporting this initiative, aiming to foster productive, sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems for the future.
Wezope Kenye, IAS, Agriculture Production Commissioner, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the significance of the meeting in light of the Government's ongoing efforts to draft a State Agriculture Policy. He expressed optimism that the discussions would yield valuable insights to tackle the current challenges facing the agriculture sector in the state.
Dr JC Rana, Country Representative for India Biodiversity for Food & Agriculture at Alliance Biodiversity International & CIAT, provided an overview of the Himalayan Agro-ecology Initiative. Mr. K Renphamo Lotha, Consultant for the initiative in Nagaland, welcomed participants, while Dr. Malavika Dadlani, National Consultant for Alliance Biodiversity International, extended her gratitude with a vote of thanks.
The technical session featured presentations from representatives of Alliance Biodiversity International, the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, and Professor Sapu Changkija, who discussed Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management in Nagaland. This was followed by a group discussion, with participation from officials across agriculture and allied departments, ICAR, KVKs, and representatives from Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Cooperatives (FPCs).
The meet underscored the collaborative efforts needed to enhance sustainable agricultural practices in Nagaland, paving the way for a more resilient agricultural framework in the face of environmental challenges.
