Northeast

Nagaland plans to create more water bodies to deal with drought situation

A meeting of the core committee of the Agriculture and Allied department under the chairmanship of Agriculture Production Commissioner, Y Kikheto Sema, took stock of drought in Nagaland.

ByIFP Bureau

Updated 17 Jul 2021, 3:04 pm

(Representational Image: IFP)
(Representational Image: IFP)

The Nagaland government has decided on creation of more water bodies to address the drought situation affecting the agriculture sector in the state in the absence of good rainfall this monsoon.  

A meeting of the core committee of the Agriculture and Allied department under the chairmanship of Agriculture Production Commissioner, Y Kikheto Sema, took stock of drought in Nagaland. The meeting decided to take up several measures to address the dire situation in the state.

Chairing the coordination meeting, Sema said, "These are extraordinary times for us not only because of the pandemic but the fact that nature and climate are not favoring due to very less rainfall this year."  He added that crops failed to germinate in most of the fields and even the germinated crops were attacked by the Fall Army Worm (FAW).

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The officer then said that due to insufficient rain jhum cultivation has been adversely affected and gradually it will affect the terrace cultivation also if similar trends continue.

Sema suggested the state should create more water bodies, check dams, rejuvenation of ponds and streams and rain harvesting so that agricultural activities are not hampered due to drought as experienced this year.

Also stressing on food securities, the official said that much has been said about food securities but less importance given to water securities. He, therefore, said that food security and doubling of crops are possible only when there is availability of water.

He then appealed to all the agri and allied departments that their schemes and programmes should be implemented properly and timely and any department that fails to implement them will be seriously dealt with.

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After a thorough discussion among the members, it was decided in the core committee meeting that all the departments involved in deliverance of projects and schemes related to irrigation and water should make initiatives for creation of water bodies etc., which will help in agricultural activities, distribution of rabi seeds to the farmers by September so that the loss borne by them may be compensated to some extent. It was also decided to encourage rearing of eri, goats and other livestock to supplement the income and livelihood of the marginal farmers of the State.

The meeting also decided that all the AHoDs/HoDs shall ensure that the district/sub divisional officers are stationed in their posting places and timely monitoring and supervision of the schemes and programs. The meeting also decided that the Core Committee and district officers shall make field visits to the drought affected areas to take stock of the ground situation and to plan out necessary interventions for the affected farmers.

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Tags:

nagalanddroughtagriculture in nagaland

IFP Bureau

IFP Bureau

IMPHAL, Manipur

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