Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, on Tuesday, inaugurated the Farmer’s Market at Meriema in Kohima district.
Speaking at the programme, he stated that the Farmer’s Market had been his dream project conceptualised, considering the plight of women folk and street vendors who brave all type of weather without any security to earn a livelihood.
Rio said that the Farmer’s Market is for the welfare of the masses, particularly farmers.
Viewing the ongoing infrastructure of the same in other regions, he stated Northern Angami people was lucky to get the spacious and prime location.
The CM urged the citizens of the area to utilise the facility to sell their organic produce.
He advised the management team to set strict rules to restrict sale of non-organic products and encouraged them to give emphasis on local and organic products.
Rio further told the management to control the prices with proper facilities and levy tax from the vendors to maintain the market. He further advised the management to maintain hygiene and cleanliness to make the Farmer’s Market a model for other upcoming markets across the state.
However, the Chief Minister suggested free tax for the vendors for the first six months.
Rio also highlighted the initiative of the government – the Chief Minister Micro Finance Initiative (CMMFI) scheme and its benefits – and encouraged Self Help Groups (SHGs), individuals and other groups to avail the scheme for startup business, entrepreneurship and farming.
He lamented that the majority of Nagas take pleasure in talking about politics and appealed the citizens to take pleasure in discussing about the economy, leaving politics to leaders and politicians.
Stressing on the need for healthy competitions among the farmers, he asserted that 70% of the state’s population are farmers and said the people are gifted with fertile soil having potential for production of various crops.
He added that the department of soil and water conservation had also done tests for soil health with recommendations for various soils and suitability for different crops.
He apprised that from 2015 till date, 39 lakhs saplings were already planted in the state in 1,733 Hectares (HA) area while in the Northern Angami region, 17 lakhs saplings were already planted in 780 Hectares (HA) having a major share.
Meanwhile, he stated the coffee harvested from the state is the second best coffee in the world because of climate, soil and altitude that result in better aroma and encouraged the people to take up coffee plantation on a large scale so that it would be commercially viable to enable supply and meet the market demand.
I hope the inaugural of Farmers’ Market at Meriema benefits the lives of the local populace. The facility has the potential to be a game-changer for the cultivators & consumers of the adjoining areas & beyond. I congratulate the Dept of Rural Dev. & the citizens on its completion pic.twitter.com/lXU2on4CWE
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) January 17, 2023
Earlier, Rev Keduolhoulie Shüya, pastor of Meriema Baptist Church, pronounced the dedicatory prayer. Azenuo Pienyü, Director of Rural Development (RD), delivered the welcome address while greetings were given by Vibeilietuo Kets, Building Construction in-charge.
Neposo Theluo, IAS, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Dept of RD, gave short speech while Seyiekhrielie Rio, Block District Officer (BDO) of Ciephobozou. delivered the vote of thanks.
The programme was chaired by K Neibou Sekhose, Addl Director of Rural Development.
