Nagaland Advisor for Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan, announced that a new Agriculture Policy focused on productivity, market linkages, post-harvest infrastructure, and farmer welfare is currently in the pipeline.
He made the announcement during a field visit programme at Chiethu, Kohima, where 11 farmer groups led officials to their thriving jhum fields, demonstrating the region’s agricultural potential. The programme aimed to strengthen engagement between farmers and government stakeholders.
Advisor Yanthan expressed gratitude for the warm reception and said he was delighted to witness the thriving agricultural activity in Chiethu firsthand. He commended the farmers and villagers for their hard work and sincerity, noting that the practice of mixed cropping had resulted in rich yields and holds significant income potential for the community.
Speaking on the challenges faced by farmers in Nagaland, he highlighted the impacts of climate change and global warming, and urged farmers to remain updated and skilled in government agricultural schemes and technologies. He also emphasised the importance of water conservation, given the unpredictability of monsoons and limited irrigation sources.
Yanthan stressed the need for sorting and grading produce to access broader markets, including national-level buyers. He pointed out that the region’s favorable soil and climate offer opportunities for diversifying into fruits and vegetables. The Cold Storage facility in Sovima, he said, could aid in prolonging the shelf life of produce before delivery.
Endorsing the idea of agrotourism, Yanthan supported Sovima Village Council Chairman Sebastian Zumvu’s suggestion to explore this potential as an alternative income source and encouraged the community to develop the necessary infrastructure.
He also highlighted key government schemes such as the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
These schemes, he said, are tailored to the needs of farmers, with the Departments of Agriculture and Horticulture ensuring their implementation at the grassroots level. Distribution of agricultural machinery is also being done based on field-specific requirements, he added.
Advisor Yanthan further mentioned ELEMENT, a World Bank-funded project aimed at unlocking economic opportunities through forest-based produce. He informed that Chiechama is among the 225 villages selected under this initiative and encouraged farmers to be inquisitive, proactive, and collaborative to fully benefit from such schemes.
He urged the farmers to see themselves not just as cultivators, but as entrepreneurs, expanding both their income and vision.