All organic vegetables grown in the state should reach Dimapur as it has a huge market and subsequently with higher productivity in the state, importing vegetables from outside could be restricted gradually, opined Agriculture Production Commissioner, Nagaland, Y Kikheto Sema.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Special Correspondent
Agriculture Production Commissioner, Nagaland, Y Kikheto Sema inspected different ongoing projects at Agri Expo Site, 4th Mile, Dimapur, on June 24. He was accompanied by Superintendent Engineer (Agri), Achakbou Newmai.Inspecting the ongoing construction of the Community Marketing Complex at Agri Expo site, Kikheto said that organic agri and allied products of Nagaland would be available in the Hall measuring approximately 125×80 feet comprising of 66 different stalls.
The basic idea of the Government is to provide an organised market for the local entrepreneurs who are willing to sell their products by paying nominal rent.
According to Kikheto, clothes are sold in the best AC markets comparing to fruits and vegetables which are sold in the footpaths and felt that consumable items should be sold in the best hygienic places.
He informed that along with a cafe and a huge parking facility for vehicles, pay and use toilets facilities would also be available at the marketing complex and through these the facilities, it is expected to create around 140 direct and indirect employment opportunities.Kikheto was of the view that all organic vegetables grown in the state should reach Dimapur as it has a huge market and subsequently with higher productivity in the state, importing vegetables from outside could be restricted gradually.
Expressing satisfaction with the progress of the construction which started two months back, he directed the department to complete the construction by this year to give it to the people as a “Christmas gift”.
“Let this market be another model market and if successful, we will construct similar markets in other districts too,” he said.
Kikheto also visited the construction site of Farmers’ Hostel, the foundation stone of which was laid by Agriculture Minister, G. Kaito Aye on December 8, 2020, coinciding with the inauguration of Organic AC Market at the same premises.
The 100-bedded farmers’ hostel is being constructed under RKVVY additional fund through the initiative of the Minister for Agriculture. He said that the objective of constructing the hostel was basically to house the farmers from different districts of Nagaland and encourage them to bring their organic produce in the commercial hub of Nagaland, Dimapur.
The ongoing 3-storeyed building has a kitchen, dining hall, and toilet facilities and the APC directed the SE (Agri), and the contractor to complete the work before Christmas the following year.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress of the work. “Agri Expo site will soon be a place of light and life where all Agri and Allied activities would take place,” he maintained.
Later, the APC also visited the Organic AC Market of Nagaland State Agricultural Marketing Board (NSAMB) and expressed happiness that organic produce from different districts of the state are being sold in the market.