Photo Courtesy: nenews
Kohima: Nagaland officials want to turn lavender into a cash crop. Tourism Minister Temjen Imna Along met with Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh in Delhi on Wednesday to map out the state's agricultural future.
Along attended the meeting with Advisor for Science and Technology Küzholüzo Nienu. They discussed using the state's biodiversity to boost farmer income and create jobs through high-value aromatic crops. The team highlighted the CSIR Aroma Mission as a blueprint for success.
Dr. Singh praised a pilot project already running in Zunheboto district. He noted the initiative has the potential to become a sustainable model for the region. Dr. Singh said the program "had significantly improved rural incomes and created employment opportunities" in Jammu and Kashmir, where the Aroma Mission first took root.
The Union Minister proposed a field trip for Nagaland officials. He wants state scientists and experts to visit Jammu and Kashmir to learn how to manage lavender cultivation on a larger scale. The plan requires a scientific assessment of local soil and weather to find the best spots for planting.
Success hinges on more than just planting seeds. Singh stressed that the government must provide quality materials, technical training, and direct access to markets. Beyond farming, the talks touched on bringing more science and technology grants to Nagaland’s colleges and Central University to foster long-term innovation.
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