Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has declared 2006 as the Year of Farmers and urged the community to make agricultural production more market oriented as it is their ''mainstay'' rather than ''incur losses through a lack of knowledge
regarding market dynamics''.

Mr Rio said Nagaland holds promise due to its topography, soil and climatic conditions and noted that if proper attention was paid to develop various horticultural resources, it could easlily develop into a vibrant industry.

He also said that due to poverty, ignorance or by default, chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not widely used in the state and so organic farming has been practised widely. Keeping in line with this, Mr Rio said the state government adopted the ''organic policy'' in a phased manner to usher in prosperity and economic stability for the farming community and to help the cause of
environmental protection.

The Chief Minister admitted that the lack of infrastructure facilities, communications, marketing, networking and post harvest management have impeded horticultural development and assured that the government would do its best to address these issues and also intensify cultivation of identified fruits for sustainable and widespread development.

Mr Rio urged the Horticulture Department to build up a strong extension network for public awareness through the mass media sothat the people of grass root level are benefitted. He also promised all necessary assistance for the implementation of the project.

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