Nagaland has called for greater flexibility in the implementation of national agriculture and horticulture schemes to address the distinct terrain, climate and farming conditions of the Northeast.
Agriculture Advisor Mhathung Yanthan and Horticulture and Women Resources Development Minister Salhoutuonuo Kruse highlighted these concerns at the National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign 2026 held in New Delhi on September 28 and 29.
In a post on X, Yanthan said Nagaland sought flexibility in national agricultural guidelines rather than separate provisions for the State. He highlighted the need for terrain-compatible farm machinery, decentralised water management, location-specific research and seed systems, post-harvest infrastructure, market linkages and appropriate beneficiary and area norms.
“Nagaland does not seek separate guidelines, but the flexibility to achieve our common national agricultural goals through approaches suited to our farmers, terrain and farming systems,” he said.
Yanthan also highlighted Nagaland’s commitment to implementing the Agriculture Policy 2025 in convergence with national programmes, with a focus on sustainable, climate-resilient and farmer-centric agriculture.
Kruse, meanwhile, sought greater flexibility under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), proposing that states be allowed to reallocate funds among admissible components according to field requirements. She also highlighted opportunities in organic and natural horticulture and called for greater focus on the horticulture value chain, including processing, value addition, branding, marketing and exports.
Kruse said horticulture could play an important role in diversifying livelihoods and improving farm incomes in Nagaland. Yanthan said the conference provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and strengthen collective efforts towards higher productivity, improved farmer incomes, crop diversification and food and nutritional security.