DPDB meeting in Zunheboto discusses key educational, agricultural, and cultural initiatives

The monthly District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall in Zunheboto on November 8, 2024. The meeting was chaired by Rahul Bhanudas Mali, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Zunheboto, and attended by various department heads and members.

The session began with a review of the minutes from the previous DPDB meeting, presented by David, highlighting the key discussions and decisions made. A significant decision was the approval for the change in nomenclature and the relocation of Aghunato School, aimed at improving educational infrastructure in the region.

Toili Awomi, Chairperson of the Amini Kimiji Kukugho, presented a proposal focused on the traditional “Mechla” garments, which are passed down from grandmother to mother to daughter. She emphasized the need for proper registration of these garments to preserve their cultural significance. The Deputy Commissioner, acknowledging the importance of the proposal, directed that the matter be forwarded to higher authorities for further approval.

The meeting also featured a presentation by the District Agriculture Officer, who outlined several schemes and initiatives aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity in the district. These included the PM Kisan Yojana, Integrated Farming Systems, rainwater harvesting, poultry development, and national food supply programs. The presentation emphasized the availability of modern agricultural technologies to assist farmers and restore soil fertility, with a focus on reaching target beneficiaries.

During the discussion, the DC highlighted the vital role of agriculture in the local economy and stressed the importance of providing farmers with soil mapping data to help them make informed decisions about crop cultivation. The Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that farmers should be made aware of the soil types in their areas to determine the most suitable crops to plant. The DC added that agricultural officers should actively disseminate soil data to farmers and ensure that collaboration between various departments is strengthened.

The DC announced that from November 12 to 14, the Sumi Hohos will host the annual Ahuna festival, a significant cultural event in the district. All Heads of Departments (HODs) have been invited to participate in the celebrations, which will include prayers for the HODs.
Looking ahead, the DC also mentioned that the next DPDB meeting will be held at Tuzu River in celebration of the upcoming Christmas season.

The meeting concluded with a call for increased publicity and collaboration between various departments to ensure that the benefits of these initiatives reach the community effectively.

MT