The Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Tuesday called for stronger implementation of government schemes, improved last-mile delivery and deeper grassroots coordination, as party legislators and leaders convened at its central headquarters in Kohima for a policy-focused seminar ahead of future political and developmental challenges.
The seminar brought together party leaders, elected members and representatives of various wings to deliberate on agriculture reform, digitisation of the Public Distribution System (PDS), land resource development, census participation and electoral preparedness.
A major focus of the discussions centered on governance effectiveness, with multiple speakers stressing that policy frameworks alone would not suffice without stronger implementation at the ground level.
MLA and Advisor for Agriculture Mhathung Yanthan said Nagaland’s newly approved agriculture policy seeks to transition the state from subsistence farming to a market-oriented and climate-resilient agricultural economy.
Noting that nearly 70 per cent of Nagaland’s population depends on agriculture, Yanthan stressed mechanisation, scientific farming and youth engagement, while announcing the introduction of seven new climate-resilient, high-yielding rice varieties.
MLA and Advisor for Food & Civil Supplies and Legal Metrology K T Sukhalu said Nagaland’s transition to Smart PDS from May 2025 has fully digitised ration distribution through real-time monitoring and Aadhaar-based authentication.
He said manual distribution has been discontinued and households earning above Rs 2.5 lakh annually will no longer qualify under free ration categories, describing the move as an effort to improve transparency and target genuine beneficiaries.
MLA and Advisor for Land Resources G Ikuto Zhimomi highlighted economic opportunities in watershed development, spring rejuvenation and plantation expansion, particularly through large-scale coffee and rubber cultivation.
Projecting major economic potential, Zhimomi said scaling coffee cultivation to 50,000 hectares and rubber to 30,000 hectares could significantly strengthen Nagaland’s land-based economy, while stressing fair and non-politicised beneficiary selection.
Minister for Rural Development and SIRD Metsubo Jamir, meanwhile, underscored the political and administrative importance of full census participation and accurate electoral roll verification.
Calling them essential responsibilities, Jamir urged party workers to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and also flagged weak participation at the local level as an area of concern.
In his keynote address, NPF Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon framed grassroots outreach as central not only to electoral success but also to the party’s broader ideological purpose.
“Any political party is to wrestle power, to command the people, to take over the government. But our party goes beyond that. We formed this party to protect the interests of our people, to look after the welfare of our people, and furthermore, to defend our land, our rights, including our family. That is the core philosophy of this party,” Kikon said.
Kikon also strongly raised concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise if based solely on population, arguing that such an approach would unfairly disadvantage smaller states like Nagaland.
He said Nagaland’s unique political history and tribal realities must be considered, warning that purely population-based parliamentary redistribution could further marginalise smaller states by weakening their representation in national decision-making.
Stressing that Nagaland has remained with only one Member of Parliament for nearly six decades, Kikon called for broader consensus and engagement with tribal leaders to develop a unified position on the issue.
He also reiterated the party’s support for women’s reservation, while highlighting fiscal constraints within the state, noting that a large share of Nagaland’s budget continues to be absorbed by salaries and fixed expenditures, limiting developmental flexibility.
Overall, the seminar reflected the NPF’s attempt to align governance, party organisation and policy awareness while preparing both its cadre and leadership for upcoming administrative and political challenges.