February 19, Kohima: Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ram Nath Thakur, visited ICAR-KVK in Longleng today, on the second day of his two-day visit to the district.
He reviewed ongoing agricultural development programs aimed at improving the livelihoods of farmers.
During interactions with officials and farmers, he emphasized the need to modernize traditional jhum cultivation by adopting climate-resilient and location-specific technologies, while preserving indigenous knowledge.
The Minister also reviewed low-input responsive crop varieties, water harvesting initiatives, and value addition projects.
He encouraged entrepreneurship development among women farmers, through processing, seed production, and allied agricultural enterprises, to create sustainable self-employment opportunities.
Mr. Thakur also stressed on conserving indigenous crop varieties, protecting farmers' rights, and ensuring benefit-sharing mechanisms for local communities.
The Union Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to providing scientific support and inclusive agricultural growth in remote and tribal regions, calling for stronger coordination between research and line departments to accelerate the adoption of technologies.
The Minister also visited ongoing development projects, including the NECTAR Project at Bautung Government Higher Secondary School, and the District Hospital Longleng, where he expressed concern over the progress of the district hospital.