The Nagaland Government on Saturday distributed 35 tractors worth Rs 3.30 crore to farmers under the Chief Minister’s Corpus Fund (CMCF) and introduced the distribution of six Tata Mobiles under the scheme for the first time, expanding its farm mechanisation program.
Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio flagged off the tractors and Tata Mobiles during a programme organised by the Planning & Transformation Department at the Agri Expo, Chümoukedima.
The tractors, comprising Mahindra and New Holland models along with the required accessories, were procured during the 2025-26 financial year at a cost of Rs 3.30 crore for distribution to 35 beneficiaries. Officials said the six Tata Mobiles were also provided under the Chief Minister’s Pool Fund, marking the first such distribution under the program.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Rio said agriculture remains the backbone of Nagaland’s economy, with nearly 70 per cent of the state’s population engaged in farming. He said the machinery distributed under the Chief Minister’s Corpus Fund is intended to complement support already being extended through the Agriculture and Allied Departments to improve productivity and promote sustainable farming.
The Chief Minister urged beneficiaries to utilise the tractors and vehicles effectively rather than selling them and encouraged farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices, embrace organic farming and focus on value addition to increase production and income.
Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner Y Kikheto Sema said the State Government launched the distribution of tractors and power tillers under the Chief Minister’s Corpus Fund in 2006-07 to promote agricultural mechanisation. Since then, the government has distributed 224 tractors and 262 power tillers across Nagaland.
He said the initiative aims to strengthen food security, improve farmers’ livelihoods and make agriculture more productive and commercially viable. Sema also noted that Nagaland’s diverse agro-climatic conditions and naturally organic produce provide significant opportunities for agricultural growth.
