Agriculture

Agriculture

Presently, the agriculture produce of the State is confined to consumption and not for commercial purpose. The soil and climatic conditions are suitable for producing various types of agricultural products. Farmers can be encouraged for bulk production provided market outlet is made available. The North-Eastern Region has been identified as a potential area for development of Food Processing Industries in view of its geo-climatic conditions. Further, the agriculture and allied sectors in Nagaland offer good inputs for development of a host of industries which could include: Floriculture; Horticulture; Rubber plantation and allied industries; Sericulture; Tea cultivation and processing; Bamboo shoot preservation; Mushroom cultivation and processing; Piggery; Poultry; etc.

The geo-climatic conditions of the State is congenial for rearing of silk worms such as Eri, Mulberry, Oak Tasar and Muga. The Government is promoting all these 4(four) varieties of silk worms in the State. Sericulture Demonstration Farms as well as Spinning units have been set up in the State. However, production of raw silk and reeling facilities can be further expanded with private investment in this sector.

India is the 2nd largest producer of fruits in the world, of the 388 million tonnes of fruit produced world wide, 8.5% are grown in Indian orchards. The paradox is that our share in the global export market is not even 0.1%. GOI has therefore, identified both fresh fruits and finished products as focus areas. National target is to capture at least 1% share of the global trade. Nagaland has immense potential for horticulture because of the varying soil and agro-climatic conditions. The present horticulture crops of various fruits cover an area of about 43 000 Hectares with an annual production of a little over 5,00,000 tonnes. However, with proper planning and investment, the cultivated area under horticultural crops and production can easily be quadrupled.