Principal Scientist, CSIR-NEIST, Mantu Bhuyan and Mohan Lal with other officials during the Launch of Cluster Drive for High-Value Crops at the ICAR-KVK Conference Hall, Wokha on December 4. (DPRO Wokha)
Wokha, December 4 (MExN): The Wokha District Administration in collaboration with the North East Institute of Science & Technology (CSIR–NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (ICAR–KVK), Wokha, conducted a preliminary workshop on cluster development of medicinal, aromatic and floriculture plants at the ICAR–KVK Conference Hall in Wokha on December 4.
A DIPR update informed that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the District Administration, Wokha, and CSIR–NEIST, Jorhat. The initiative aims to promote scientific cultivation and commercial-scale farming of high-value crops across the district.
Principal Scientist CSIR–NEIST, Mantu Bhuyan spoke on scientific beekeeping, highlighting its role in pollination, honey production, and livelihood diversification.
Principal Scientist, CSIR–NEIST, Mohan Lal briefed participants on aromatic crop cultivation, focusing on species viable for Wokha’s agro-climatic conditions and their market potential.
Senior Scientist & Head, ICAR–KVK Wokha, Sandeep Deshmukh, along with SMS (Agricultural Extension), ICAR–KVK Wokha, B L Mhalo Tungoe, attended the programme and interacted with the growers. Project Manager, District Administration Wokha, Anuranjan Singh facilitated the discussions, addressed queries, and guided farmers on the next steps for cluster formation and field-level implementation.
During the interaction, it was collectively agreed to priorities Chamomile for large-scale plantation under the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants initiative. Gladiolus was also identified as a promising crop for commercial floriculture due to its strong market demand and adaptability to local conditions. More than twenty growers participated in the workshop and expressed their willingness to collaborate in the district-wide cluster rollout.
To support early adoption, Quality Planting Materials (QPM) of medicinal, aromatic, and floriculture crops under the CSIR Aroma Mission Phase III were distributed to participating farmers. The initiative is expected to pave the way for scientific cultivation, value addition, and entrepreneurship, positioning Wokha as a growing hub for high-value agriculture in Nagaland.
