'Centre to focus on Agri growth in NE'

Kohima, Mar 30: The union government sponsored Rs 15,000 crore National Horticulture Technology Mission (NHTM) has been specifically designed to accord sustained growth-oriented focus in the 11 hill states of the country, including the North Eeastern region.

This was disclosed by Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kantilal Bhuria during a press conference at the Dimapur airport after wrapping up his four-day visit to the state in connection with the North East Agri Expo yesterday.

He said all the eight NE states, including Sikkim has been instructed to focus on diversification of the farm sector and harnessing potential in horticulture besides poultry, dairy, veterinary and animal husbandry, fisheries and piggery.

The centre has asked Nagaland to prepare and submit agriculture project proposals to give boost to this sector in addition to several schemes already sanctioned for the region, especially for the state.

On the ongoing North East Agri Expo, 2006, Mr Bhuria said it was able to generate keen interest among investors, who would now approach the state government in formulating future plans and expressed happiness to see the response of the farmers to reach the modern farming technologies.

Mr Bhuria said the Centre has focused on agriculture consequent upon Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's message -''Boost Agriculture for Boosting the Economy of the Country''.

UNI