Statistical Advisor, Ministry of DoNER, Dharmvir Jha on Thursday reviewed the projects and schemes funded by the Ministry of DoNER in Nagaland and urged the concerned Departments to implement with sincerity and promptness.

He also cautioned that any propsals/projects from the state to the Ministry of DoNER should be sent with the concurrence and knowledge of the Planning Department. In this regard, he asked the Development Commissioner to monitor all these proposals/projects from the time of submission till the implementation period.

Addressing a coordination meeting of the Department of Planning  & Transformation along with the officials from the Departments of Land Resources Development, Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and Roads & Bridges at the Office Chamber of Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner, Jha expressed appreciation over the performance of IDAN and urged the Department to pursue vigorously on Grounding of MoUs and LoAs with the investors without further delay. He also urged the Department of Roads & Bridges to expedite the construction of NESIDS roads by utilizing the unutilized funds at the earliest.

Jha stated that he was not aware of Agar plantation in Nagaland but after knowing its huge potential, he assured that the Ministry of DoNER would look into it. He asked the State government to submit the detail report/proposal. He also thanked the officials present and expressed hope for continued coordination, support and progress.

Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner, Kikheto Sema, IAS who chaired the meeting gave a slight presentation on the “Journey of Coffee Plantation in Nagaland.” He recalled how difficult and challenging it was during the early years of its plantation, yet it was a dream come true, he said, after putting enormous efforts and sacrifices by the officials of the LRD and continued support from the State government.

Referring to Coffee plantation,  he quoted a Bible verse from 1st Corinthians 3:6 which says, Paul planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.

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Sema noted that Nagaland coffee is the best in the world, with a huge potential to increase the farmers’ income and boost employment opportunities in the State. He thanked the Ministry of DoNER, GOI for considering the Pilot Project on coffee plantation in two clusters, and also taking up the complete value chain development across the 17 districts in the State.

Sema also highlighted on the huge potential of Agar wood plantation in Nagaland due to its warm agro- climatic zone particularly in Foothill areas, where natural infection is taking place on a large scale. However, he expressed regret that majority of the products are being exported to Assam below the market price. In this regard, the State Forest Department has prepared a “Policy on Agar Wood” which is being approved by the Government of Nagaland. Basing on this policy, he requested the Ministry of DoNER to consider on it, as it will not only benefit the farming community but also generate employment avenues for the educated unemployed youth across the State.

In Nagaland, the farming community cannot totally do away with the traditional jhum and shifting cultivation due to its economic viability and ecologically sustainable. Therefore, Coffee and Agar wood plantation would give manifold income and generate more employment as compared to that of jhum and shifting cultivation, he asserted.

“At one point of time, there was no peace in our land and the State could not do much for its people in socio-economic development. However, the State is now witnessing peace and tranquillity for the last two decades under the able and dynamic leadership of our present Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and with the continued support of the Government of India,” he added.