Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur being felicitated during his visit to Orangkong village, Longleng on February 18. (DIPR Photo)
Longleng, February 19 (MExN): Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ram Nath Thakur, on Wednesday emphasised the Central government’s commitment to the development of Nagaland and the Northeast region, urging state officials to ensure the effective implementation of flagship schemes at the grassroots level.
On first day of his two-day visit to Longleng district, the Minister addressed a gathering of heads of departments and civil society organizations at the DPDB hall on February 18, stated a DIPR report.
Thakur stated that the Prime Minister remains deeply concerned about the welfare of farmers and is keen to ensure they fully benefit from government initiatives. He directed the Agriculture and Allied Departments to provide detailed data on the total area under cultivation in the state, including the number of hectares farmed and the farmer population. He also enquired about the operational effectiveness of the Soil Testing Laboratory in Nagaland and its impact on the farming community.
Emphasising the need for a thorough review of Central schemes, the Minister called upon the state government to give focused attention to agricultural development and address the challenges faced by farmers. He urged agricultural scientists to intensify efforts in developing practical solutions and innovations that would directly benefit farmers in Nagaland.
Earlier, MLA A Pongshi Phom, welcoming the Minister on behalf of the district, expressed optimism that the visit would have a significant impact on the lives of the people. He highlighted that 70% of Nagaland's population is engaged in agriculture, with traditional jhum cultivation being widely practiced due to the hilly terrain.
Phom acknowledged key Central initiatives such as the Act East Policy, PM-DevINE, NESIDS, and SoNEC for driving growth in the region. However, he also drew attention to local infrastructural gaps, requesting the Minister to consider allocating funds for the construction of specific Agri-Link roads. He stressed that better road connectivity would ensure easy access to farms, reduce transportation costs, and enhance the rural economy by connecting farmers directly to buyers.
Aligning with the government’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047, Phom expressed gratitude to the Centre, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, for their special interest in the welfare of Nagaland, particularly the eastern districts.
Phom Peoples Council President, YB Angam Phom said the signing of the Frontier Nagaland Territory Authority (FNTA) agreement has brought renewed hope for the people of the area.
He urged the central government to sanction a feasibility study for a Regional Agriculture University and a dedicated Research Centre in Longleng. According to him, such institutions would empower the local population by introducing scientific methods and localized research to transform traditional Jhum and organic farming into a sustainable, high-yield industry. He assured the government of full community support and land-related consultation to help establish Longleng as the ‘Organic Knowledge Hub’ of Nagaland.
The Agri & Allied Departments presented a detailed PowerPoint on the proposal. Earlier, the programme was chaired by EAC Yongnyah, Imkongnukla Ao.
The Union Minister also visited Orangkong village, where he interacted with village functionaries, Self-Help Groups, and senior citizens. He toured the traditional morung and handicraft stall, and witnessed a cultural performance by the women of the village.
Calls for modernisation of jhum cultivation at KVK Longleng
Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ram Nath Thakur, on Thursday visited the ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Longleng and reviewed ongoing agricultural development programmes aimed at improving livelihood security for farmers in the district.
During his interaction with senior scientists, extension personnel and farmers, the Minister emphasized the need to modernize traditional jhum cultivation through scientifically validated, location-specific technologies. He highlighted the importance of gradually transitioning shifting cultivation towards low-input, resource-efficient, and climate-resilient farming systems while preserving indigenous knowledge, stated a DIPR report.
Thakur reviewed demonstrations of low-input responsive crop varieties suitable for hill agriculture, which ensure stable yields under rainfed and marginal conditions. He appreciated the efforts to promote water harvesting structures, including Jal Kund and small-scale rainwater storage systems, as critical interventions to address moisture stress and erratic rainfall in the region.
The Minister stressed that technologies must adapt to the farming needs of the people and be tailored to the unique agro-ecological conditions of the district. He also highlighted initiatives on value addition, processing, and post-harvest management of agricultural and horticultural produce to reduce losses and enhance farmers’ income.
Encouraging entrepreneurship development among women farmers, Thakur called for strengthening processing, seed production, and allied agri-enterprises to create sustainable self-employment opportunities.
Conservation of local germplasm and indigenous crop diversity was identified as a strategic priority. The Minister underscored the importance of protecting farmers' rights, conserving traditional varieties, and ensuring benefit-sharing mechanisms for local communities.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to farmer-centric extension and scientific support in remote and tribal regions, he called for stronger convergence between research, extension, and line departments to accelerate the adoption of proven technologies.
The visit concluded with a tour of the KVK’s experimental and demonstration units, where the Minister expressed satisfaction over the role of ICAR-KVK Longleng in strengthening sustainable agriculture and improving rural livelihoods.
Later, Thakur also visited ongoing development projects in the district headquarters, including the NECTAR project at Bautung Government Higher Secondary School and the District Hospital Longleng. He expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of work at the hospital.
The Union Minister was accompanied by Longleng MLA A Pongshi Phom, Deputy Commissioner W Manpai Phom, senior officials from various departments, and representatives of civil society organisations.
