Aizawl: Mizoram Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister PC Vanlalruata on Friday emphasized the critical need for all-weather farm roads in the state, citing the challenges of cultivation in hilly, difficult terrain and heavy rainfall across the northeastern region.
Speaking at the National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign in New Delhi, Vanlalruata sought central assistance to construct roads linking cultivation areas. He also called for higher quality and larger rainwater harvesting tanks to support agricultural fields in the northeastern states, despite the region receiving abundant annual rainfall.
Vanlalruata expressed gratitude to the central government for the price support scheme, which has enabled the state to purchase seeds of ‘behliang’ (pigeon pea), ‘chhawhchhi’ (sesame), and sunflower. Highlighting Mizoram’s distinct climate and cooler weather compared to the plains, he urged the Centre to design farmer schemes tailored to the state’s unique terrain and climatic conditions.
The conference deliberated on methods for growing kharif crops and related issues, along with concerns over extensive chemical fertilizer use and the need to prioritize natural farming. Discussions also included strategies to boost oilseed production in order to reduce edible oil imports.
The minister attended the conference along with Additional Secretary Lalnunhlua and other officials from the state Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department.
