5th Asia organic youth forum residential training

Correspondent

KOHIMA, November 27, 2019: The 5th Asia Organic Youth Forum residential training got underway at Niathu Resort in Dimapur Tuesday.

Minister of Agriculture, Kaito Aye, in his inaugural address, expressed the need of practical solutions for food production and food security without adversely affecting the natural ecosystem and environment. He also felt the importance of younger generation to engage in agriculture and related activities, adding that the society, economy and future depend on the ingenuity and solution the youth can bring up with.

He said farmer are the backbone of rural economy and Nagaland is an agrarian society with above 70% of population living in rural areas where majority households are farmers, he  said that while discussing about organic agriculture, the first thing has to be about empowering the farmers in the village who is practically engaged in farming. Aye also pointed out that so far 6000 hectares have been certified as organic and 7000 hectares was under conversion with compliance to National Programme for Organic Production by One Cert International Pvt Ltd as certifying agency.

To facilitate stronger marketing access under the ownership of grower's organisation, Aye stated that the state government has registered the brand "Naga Organic" where Farmers Producer Organisation (FPOs) and entrepreneurs under the mission organic value chain development (MOVCD) have started selling their produce and products.

Other highlights of the program included opening message by IFOAM Asia President Zhou Zejiang, welcome address by NOK Executive Member, Tiatemjen and invocation prayer was offered by Director of Indigenous Cultural Society, Nagaland, Dr Hesheto Y Chishi.