An orientation for Phase IV of the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North-East Region (MOVCDNER) began at MAMETI here today bringing together key stakeholders, government officials, and industry leaders to outline the roadmap for organic farming development in the Northeast.
The orientation aims to guide stakeholders through new guidelines and the implementation strategy for Phase IV, while also facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices.
The mission is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, aimed at promoting organic farming and developing farmer institutions across the eight Northeastern states.
Since its inception in 2015-16, it has covered 1.79 lakh hectares and reached 1.83 lakh farmers, federated into 379 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), a press release said.
Phase IV focuses on enhancing the performance of FPOs from previous phases and engaging service providers and local resource persons to improve implementation plans. It also aims to sensitize state lead agencies and service providers to key aspects like Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and scheme convergence, as well as fostering the sharing of experiences among stakeholders.
During the program, representatives from FPOs in Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, and Sikkim showcased their achievements and shared their experiences from Phases 1, 2, and 3. This provided a valuable opportunity for all stakeholders to understand the ground-level impact of MOVCDNER.
Joint Secretary (INM), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Dr. Yogita Rana, who attended the programme, highlighted the importance of scientific farming methods to boost farmers’ income. She urged participants to actively engage and contribute to refining the guidelines, allowing for more significant benefits to farmers in the Northeast.
Secretary of the State Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Isawanda Laloo gave an insight into the local agricultural landscape and outlined opportunities for growth and development.
