Mizoram seeks Israel's assistance to combat orange disease

Aizawl, Jan 14 (UNI) Mizoram government has signed a multi-crore contract with Israel for Co-operation in Agriculture to combat orange plant diseases in the state.

The disease destroyed several orange plants of the state in the last few years. The full-grown orange trees wither away due to a disease, locally known as 'Tam'.

''Officials of the state horticulture department were sent to Israel for training,'' state Horticulture Commissioner Lalramthanga Tochhawng told UNI, adding that an unidentified virulent agent had caused the disease.

He said the western belt of the state, bordering Tripura and Bangaladesh, has been found suitable for orange plantation but Tam has hampered production and it was expected that the Israeli technology would help in beating the disease.

Currently, comparative productivity rate per hectare was far below the other states because of lack of high-yielding seeds, he pointed out.

''Entire North East is home to many tropical and sub-tropical fruits like orange, pineapple, pear, pech and plum. With the assistance of Israel, we hope to overcome the hurdles and go for commercial produce of the tropical fruits,'' Mr Tochhawng maintained.

UNI