Longleng, February 19: Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ram Nath Thakur visited ICAR-KVK, Longleng, on Thursday to review ongoing agricultural development programmes aimed at strengthening farmers’ livelihoods in the district.
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| MoS Ram Nath Thakur visits ICAR-KVK Longleng, pushes jhum modernisation, water harvesting, women agri-entrepreneurship, flags hospital delay. (Image: DIPR Nagaland) |
During his interaction with scientists, extension personnel and farmers, the Minister stressed the need to modernise traditional jhum cultivation through scientifically validated and location-specific technologies. He called for a gradual transition towards low-input, resource-efficient and climate-resilient farming systems while preserving indigenous knowledge.
Thakur reviewed demonstrations on low-input crop varieties suited for hill agriculture and appreciated efforts to promote water harvesting structures such as Jal kund and small-scale rainwater storage systems to address erratic rainfall and moisture stress in the region.
The Minister also emphasised value addition, post-harvest management and processing of agri-horti produce to reduce losses and enhance income. He encouraged entrepreneurship among women farmers, particularly in processing, seed production and allied agri-enterprises.
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Highlighting the importance of conserving local germplasm and indigenous crop diversity, he underscored protecting farmers’ rights and ensuring benefit-sharing mechanisms for local communities. He urged stronger convergence between research, extension and line departments to accelerate adoption of proven technologies in remote and tribal areas.
Thakur later inspected ongoing development projects in Longleng headquarters, including the NECTAR project at Bautung Government Higher Secondary School and the District Hospital Longleng. He expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of work at the district hospital.
The Union Minister was accompanied by Longleng MLA A. Pongshi Phom, Deputy Commissioner W. Manpai Phom, NCS, senior officials from various departments and representatives of civil society organisations.
