Rio stresses on improving food production

January 29, 2021 47 Views No Comment

Correspondent KOHIMA, JAN 28 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has called on Nagas to become “more than self-sufficient” in food production so that they could sell the surplus.

Speaking at the inauguration of the newly-constructed Sechü (Zubza) Village Council hall on Thursday, Rio remarked that while COVID-19 pandemic had been very challenging for the people, it also taught “us” the need to get back to “our roots and work for our sustenance”. He recalled that many people residing in urban areas and having faced scarcity of essential commodities had migrated back to their native villages and started cultivating lands.

“We may be able to produce sufficient for ourselves. However, there is a need for us to produce in greater quantities and make our produces commercially viable,” he stressed.

Rio said Nagas enjoy numerous privileges like not paying income tax or wealth tax which, he guessed, could be one of the reasons why the people had little sense of responsibility.

He observed that majority of the population avoided work and simply moved around asking from others, thus destroying the work culture of “our forefathers”.

He mentioned that even the Bible taught man to make a living out of the sweat of his brow and stressed starting social reformation from the church in order to propagate the need for every person to work for his own livelihood and not simply rely on others.

Rio lauded Sechü Village Council for being exemplary by not asking donations from others but collectively building the new hall with its own funds.

Observing that Sechü was at a very strategic location envied by many, he said there was ample room for the village to change itself by upgrading to a town.

“Many villages refuse to upgrade as they eye financial assistance that comes in the form of village development board (VDB) funds. However, when there were more than 2,000 residents, a village can be upgraded into a town and with that even more funds will be made available to them,” he explained.

He urged the village to have an open mind and think forward as, besides the four-lane road that already passed through the area, even a railway station would come up very soon. Therefore, necessary developmental activities have to be put in place in order to accommodate the change, he added.

Earlier, the inaugural programme was chaired by organising committee convener Neidilhoutuo Sechü. Short speeches were given by Western Angami Public Organisation president Kevisekho Chücha and 8th Western Angami constituency MLA Keneizhakho Nakhro.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/rio-stresses-on-improving-food-production/227975.html