State

Nagaland takes step towards organic farming

Dignitaries, NOK anmembers and patrons releasing NOK MoA. (NP)

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, JAN 12 (NPN) | Publish Date: 1/12/2019 11:18:47 AM IST

Nagaland, known for its rich biodiversity, is gradually making its entry into the organic farming market and towards this end efforts are being made to promote organic farming in the state.

With a vision to make Nagaland one of the organic hubs of the country, a society called Nagaland Organic Konnect (NOK) supported by Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) organised a workshop on “Organic farming – Youth & the Future” at Hotel Acacia, here Saturday.

NOK president and Professor (SASRD, NU), Akali Sema, said the society was established on November 26, 2018, with an aim to bring together all stakeholders of organic farming in Nagaland. She said it envisions to, gradually, transform Nagaland from “organic by default” state to “organic by design” state. “We would create a robust database of information on organic farming, which is so vital for policy makers of the state,” said Sema.

She said NOK also envisions Nagaland to be the organic hub of the country by making it the leading state in organic agriculture and organic value chain for north-east region.

Speaking at the inaugural programme as chief guest, advisor for I&PR, SCERT & Village Guards, Toshi Wangtung, said 90% of land in Nagaland was “agro friendly” and that organic farming has big potentials in the state.

Pointing out that Nagaland could be one of the leading states in organic agriculture and organic value chain for the north east region, the advisor queried why the state was not in the forefront amongst the north eastern states.

To promote organic farming in Nagaland, Wangtung said the state needed to have a mechanised/balanced approach and also focus on rural connectivity and power supply.

Admitting that Nagaland was yet to develop the mechanism of market economy, the advisor said the state was at a stage between “market economy and peasantry”.

At this juncture, if Nagaland was to develop a market economy as well as organic market, Wangtung said it would be like “killing two birds with one stone” and called upon the people to take up this challenge and make it a success.

Encouraging the youth to take interest in organic farming, Wangtung advised them to look beyond market economy, saying “It is a challenge and responsibility of every Naga youth to keep our land organic and fertile”.

Guest of honour, vice president, International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) global and executive director, IFOAM Asia, Jennifer Chang, said IFOAM works towards true sustainability in agriculture, from the field, through the value chain to the consumer. She said the organic movement was formed by pioneers who believed in organic agriculture philosophy.

In the next 20-30 years, Chang said China and India would become leaders in organic world as they have young people to work towards that goal. She also encouraged the youth to take interest in organic agriculture.

The inaugural programme was chaired by CEO, IDAN and patron NOK, Alemtemshi Jamir; Lanuakum Imchen gave invocation, welcome address was delivered by NOK executive director, Abea Mero; NOK background was highlighted by its president, professor Akali Sema; NOK Memorandum of Association (MoA) and rules and regulations was released; short speech by minister and patron NOK, Neiba Kronu and vote of thanks by NOK patron, Dr John Murry.

It may be noted that NOK aims to promote organic farming and implement programme/policies through convergence; ensure that organic farmers of the state doubles their income through organic farming; establish a robust organic supply chain for organic products from Nagaland and to address the need for quality and quantity of the products based on market requirement.