Rio describes 'Year of Farmer' as a success

Kohima, Mar 24 (UNI) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today claimed that 2006 and 2007, declared as the '' Year of Farmer'' by the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Government, were successful.

Replying to the discussions on the Motion of Thanks on the floor of the House, Mr Rio said in 2006 the market of ginger was bad due to presence of chinese ginger in the state market but last year ginger price rose as there was no chinese ginger.

He claimed that during the Year of Farmer, the farmers of the state were able to learn many sophisticated methods of farming and production of all agricultural produces, including floriculture, got a boost. The flowers from the state were being exported to the neighbouring states and some foreign countries, he said.

He said the Agriculture Product Marketing Committee (APMC), which were introduced in few districts to buy the farmers' products and sell it in bigger markets, was a success and added that the APMC will be extended to all the districts of Nagaland.

Admitting that roads are the lifeline of economy, as the state has no rail, air and navigation system, the Chief Minister said his government was giving top priority to the development of roads as it was the only means of transport.

In his one and a half hour reply, Mr Rio said the other priority sectors of the DAN Government are health and education sectors. He informed that his government has taken up scheme ''Health for all by 2020'' and accordingly plans are being formulated to achieve the target.

UNI AS KK LPB RS1808