Hon’ble Union Minister inaugurates Workshop & Exhibition at CIH

Farmers Workshop cum Exhibition

26^th – 27^th June 2022

Central Institute of Horticulture, Nagaland

Inaugural Programme

The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar visited the Central Institute of Horticulture in Nagaland on 26th June, 2022 and inaugurated a farmer’s workshop and exhibition here. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Tomar said that the Central Government and the State Governments are working together for the development of the North East region including Nagaland. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, wants that there should be holistic and balanced development and the benefits of the government schemes should reach the eligible people including farmers to the grassroot level, which will bring a change in their standard of living. The central government is dedicated for this and will continue to do so. For the development of Northeast, the Central Government will continue to walk step by step and shoulder to shoulder with the states. He said that it is necessary to convert agriculture into advanced farming for the benefit of farmers in the country including Northeast.

The chief guest Shri. Tomar said that if the central and state governments work together, then it would bring out better results and that is what is happening now. Emphasizing on increasing production-productivity, Shri Tomar said that the income of brothers and sisters working in the agriculture sector should also increase, for this they should go towards high value crops, connect with technology, bring new technology to the farmers through institutions. The common farmers should get the benefit of the research of scientists, the funding of the government should also reach them, the central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi is working closely with the state governments on all these areas.

Shri Tomar expressed hope that the farmers of NE region would bring about a new revolution in the development of horticulture. He said that the North-East region has been a victim of neglect for a long time and due to its remoteness, it has become difficult to get the benefits of schemes here, but after becoming the Prime Minister, Shri Modi has constantly paid attention to get enough funds for the development of the North-East.

The Union Minister Shri Tomar said that the presence of 6 agro-climatic zones with vast geographical variations in Nagaland in particular and the North-East region in general provides great scope and advantages for growing many horticultural crops as compared to other states. There are huge possibilities to do so. Nagaland also has great potential for export of agricultural products due to its proximity to South-East Asian countries. It is necessary that the agricultural products are of global quality standards and focus should be to increase the productivity. In doing so, farmers will get good price and their financial condition will improve and the agriculture sector will also contribute more to the country's GDP. Shri Tomar said that everyone is making efforts together to bring new technology to the farmers at low cost, he appreciated the efforts of the institute and the state government in this direction.

Shri MhathungYanthan, Hon’ble Advisor Horticulture & Border Affairsalso addressed and explained the development of agriculture in the state. Central Horticulture Commissioner Dr. Prabhat Kumar delivered the welcome address. On this occasion the Vice Chancellor of Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Dr. Anupam Mishra, Director of the Institute and Additional Commissioner (Horticulture) of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Dr. N.K Patle along with senior officials of Central and State Governments including, many dignitaries, farmers, representatives of FPOs and entrepreneurs were also present.

On this occasion, the Chief Guest and the host of dignitaries launched Ready to Serve (RTS) juice of Litchi, Mango, Lemon, Strawberry & Pineapple made by Mr.NG Baio, founder of Hills Foods from Senapati, Manipur. He initiated the start-up after undergoing 03 months Certificate Course on Post Harvest Management at CIH. Extension folders published by CIH were also released during the programme by the Chief guest.

A total of 14 exhibitors were present at the exhibition organized as a part of the programme where different horticulture products were displayed and a platform was provided for the entrepreneurs to showcase their products.

Technical sessions on “Horticulture Schemes” and “Prospects of horticulture in Nagaland” were held as a part of the programme which left all the participants more enriched in their knowledge on the scope and opportunities of horticulture sector.

After the inaugural programme, the Chief guest along with the dignitaries visited the pineapple farm of the Molsang Organic Pineapple Farmers Producer Company at Molvom village and interacted with the farmers. He congratulated the farmers company for their hard work, dedication and commitment in producing the sweetest and juiciest pineapple in the country.

Technical Session

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

Day 1
TIMING	TOPIC	RESOURCE PERSON
12:00-12:45 PM	Schemes and Programmes Under Horticulture Sector in Nagaland Department of Horticulture Govt. of Nagaland	Department of Horticulture Govt. of Nagaland
Interactive session
12:45-1:30 PM	Prospects of Horticulture in Nagaland	Dr. Sentirenla Asst. Professor, Horticulture NU: SASRD
Interactive session

Day 2
TIMING	TOPIC	RESOURCE PERSON
12:00-12:45 PM	Post harvest management of temperate crops under Nagaland condition	Dr. Moasosang Lkr Asst. Horticulture Specialist CIH, Nagaland
Interactive session
12:45-1:30 PM	Protected cultivation: Issues, Prospects and solution in NE Region	Mr. Arvind Singh Technical Consultant CIH, Nagaland
Interactive session

The workshop was designed for two days and it started with the appraisal on present horticulture scenario of the state followed by presentation on emerging technologies and potential fruit crops for the region. The next part of the workshop was structured to present the horticulture developmental schemes and programes currently implemented by the state horticulture departments, constraints and possible solutions of problems connected with horticulture production, post harvest management and marketing aspect. The technical session of the workshop ended with a training need assessment of the participants for increased and sustainable production. All the presentations by resource persons were followed by open discussions among the participants.

On the second day of workshop Dr. Moasosang Longkumer, Asst. Horticulture Specialist, CIH, Nagaland delivered presentation on Post harvest technology temperate fruits with special reference to Nagaland, where he discussed on the package and practices of kiwi and plum and post harvest handling from farm to fork. The second technical session was taken up by Mr. Arvind Singh, Technical Consultant, he discussed on the issues, prospects and solution of protected cultivation of high value crops in Nagaland, his topic covered various important high crops such as king chilli, capsicum, flowers , etc which has good potential for market in Nagaland condition.

The programme also included field visit to Institute’s green house unit, discussion and interaction with the participants. Whereby a total of 106 participants attended on the first day and 87 farmers attended the workshop on the second from nearby villages around the Institute.

Glimpses of the event

Inauguration of exhibition by Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri. Narendra Singh Tomar

Visit to stalls by Hon’ble Union Minister

Inaugural programme of Farmers Workshop cum Exhibition

Participants of Farmers Workshop cum Exhibition during inaugural programme

Release of publication during the inaugural programme

Launch of processed products of entrepreneurs Mr. Bai-o from Manipur

Visit to Pineapple farm in molvom village

Interaction of Union Agriculture Minister with pineapple growers

Visit to CIH farm by Hon’ble Union Agriculture Minister

Visit to Processing unit by Hon’ble Union Agriculture Minister

Inauguration of Farmers Hostel and Beekeepers Summit

INAUGURATION OF FARMERS’ HOSTEL

&

BEEKEEPERS’ SUMMIT CUM HORTI EXPO

11^th November 2021

SUMMARY

Considering the rich diversity of flora and fauna in Nagaland which is a catalyst for developing of beekeeping sector in the region, a Beekeepers’ summit cum Horti Expo was organised by Central Institute of Horticulture, Medziphema along with inauguration of Farmers’ hostel on 11th November, 2021 in continuation of the various programmes for celebration of 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The programme was held in hybrid mode-both physical & virtually.

The programme was inaugurated by Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare virtually in the presence of Shri Kailash Choudary, Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Sushri. Shobha Karandlaje, Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary, DA& FW, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, New Delhi, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Addl. Secretary, DA& FW and Dr. S.K.Malhotra, Agriculture & Horticulture Commissioner, DA& FW.

Dr. N K Patle, Addl. Commissioner (Hort.) & Managing Director, National Bee Board, DA& FW, Shri T Mhabemo Yanthan IAS, Comm. & Secy. to Governor & Team Leader, Beekeeping & Honey Mission, Nagaland, Smt. Anenla T Sato IAS, Comm. & Secy. (Horti), Govt. of Nagaland, Dr. R. E Lotha, Director of Horticulture, GoN, Shri Shiv Anjan Dalmia, Member, Board of Management (BOM), CIH & MD, Fosse Holdings, Kolkata and Shri Diwakar Chachari, Member BOM , CIH were physically present during the programme at CIH, Nagaland.

Shri. Narendra Singh Tomar, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare inaugurated the Farmers’ Hostel constructed with a cost of Rs.3.00 Cr having a capacity of 40 beds with facilities like meeting hall and accommodation for resource persons which will host the farmers of North East Region during various trainings and programmes at CIH. He expressed his immense happiness that small farmers from Nagaland and North East are coming up with very good marketable products through the technical support and programmes of CIH. He spoke on various schemes of Govt. of India for the farmers & beekeepers. He emphasised that through Honey Mission which is collaborating with NAFED for marketing of honey products will highly benefit the small and marginal farmers/beekeepers of Nagaland & Northeast. He expressed that the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers welfare is always ready to support small farmers and work hand in hand through various Govt. schemes, programmes and line departments under the Ministry like CIH. He requested the small and marginal farmers to come forward and avail the various services and benefits available for improving their farming activity thereby increasing their income and achieve sustainable development. Lastly he congratulated the staff of CIH, State Department and the farmers of Nagaland for working together and achieving greater heights in horticulture sector.

Dr. N K Patle, Addl. Commissioner (Hort.) & Managing Director, National Bee Board, DA& FW and Director Incharge CIH highlighted during the Bee Summit that presently, 232 beekeepers/beekeeping societies/firms etc and 4265 bee colonies have been registered with the National Bee Board from Nagaland and the state has produced 650 metric tonnes of honey in the year 2020-21. He emphasised that Nagaland and the North East Region have huge potential in the Beekeeping sector and shared that 2 districts of Nagaland i.e. Dimapur & Peren have been identified for formation of FPOs of Beekepers/Honey producers under the scheme ”Formation and Promotion of 10,000 new Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)” of Govt. of India. Further, he also highlighted that there was a huge domestic and international market for honey, bees wax, pollen, royal jelly etc, for which the beekeepers should work in groups for higher production and marketing aspect.

During the Technical programme of Beekeeper’s summit, Mr. Mhathung Tsopoe, Team member, NBHM gave a presentation of ”Pollination-Production & Productivity of Agriculture & Horticulture Crops by Bee-Pollinating Services” and Mr. Nzanbemo K Lotha, Team member, NBHM spoke on “Quality Control of Honey & Marketing Strategy”.

The Chief Guest Shri. Narendra Singh Tomar, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare launched 07 different types of fermented fruit beverages and candy prepared from locally available underutilized fruits manufactured by Mr. NG.Baio, founder & owner of Hills Foods from Senapati, Manipur and Naga King Chilli Pickel prepared by Ms. Vuseno Yakhro, founder & owner of Dwellington Home, Kohima, Nagaland. Both the young entrepreneurs initiated the startup after undergoing 3 months Certificate Course on Post Harvest Management at CIH. Certificates were also distributed to 10 nos. of Accreditated Nurseries of North East Region and released various publications of CIH. Vegetable seed kits were also distributed to the farmers in commemoration of the International Year of Fruits & Vegetables 2021 under Aatma Nirbhar Krishi.

On the auspicious occasion, an MOU was signed between Molsang Organic Pineapple Producers Company Nagaland formed under MOVCD programme of the Govt. of India and Satsumi Farm LLP, New Delhi for marketing of Pineapple. Dr. Praveen Singh from Satsumi Farms LLP, New Delhi highlighted that only Nagaland produces the sweetest and juiciest pineapple in India.

20 nos. of Exhibition stalls were displayed by various departments/Exhibitors. All together more than 150 farmers attended the programme physically and around 100 officials’ and dignitaries from around the North East and the country attended the programme virtually.

Dr. S.K.Malhotra, Agriculture & Horticulture Commissioner, DA& FW thanked all the dignitaries, officials, farmers and participants for their valuable presence and for making the programme a grand success.