Central Institute of Horticulture

Brief Report on

Farmers Workshop cum Exhibition

26th – 27th 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
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.