The Flag-off ceremony of reefer trucks sponsored by FOCUS-IFAD Nagaland with the theme “Bridging Farms to Markets” was held at Civil Secretariat ground, Kohima on 29 February 2025.

MLA & Advisor to the Department of Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan delivering his message congratulated the FOCUS-IFAD Project Nagaland team for the remarkable achievement terming it as one of the best things that has happened for the people of Nagaland. He said that the 23 refrigerated vehicles will be rolled out to sixteen districts and covering different production areas. Yanthan remarked that the vegetables and fruits produced locally across the state and different districts will now be linked to the market through the reefer trucks.

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Also cautioning the FPO beneficiaries, Yanthan said that with such facility comes with greater responsibility. He said that the van is not to be utilized for individual benefit but should be used for the benefit of the whole farming community. He also urged the FPOs to run the van efficiently, effectively and judiciously. He called on the FPO to be effective service providers to the farmer and the main linkage between the farmers and the market. He also urged the FPO to collectively work together and transform the market scenario and to achieve economic independence through the facility provided by the department.

Commissioner & Secretary and State Project Director, FOCUS Nagaland, Shanavas C, IAS, Agriculture Production Commissioner & Mission Director, FOCUS-Nagaland, Wezope Kenye, IAS, FPO and beneficiaries attended the program.