A groundbreaking interactive workshop on oilseed promotion took place at the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, on 23 August 2024. The event, funded by ICAR-IIOR, Hyderabad, aimed to boost agricultural productivity in Nagaland by promoting oilseed cultivation. Key figures from the agricultural sector and research institutions gathered to discuss strategies for enhancing oilseed production in the state.
Distinguished Guests and Participants
The workshop was graced by C. Peter Yanthan, Director of Agriculture, Government of Nagaland, as the Chief Guest, and Dr. Girish Patil, S., Director of ICAR-NRC on Mithun, as the Guest of Honour. Dr. H. Kalita, HoRC, ICAR Nagaland Centre, welcomed the guests and participants, which included officials from various districts and representatives from agricultural organisations.
Dr. Md. A. Aziz Qureshi and Dr. Jawahar Lal Jatothu, Principal Scientists from ICAR-IIOR, Hyderabad, served as resource persons, sharing their expertise on oilseed cultivation and promotion.
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Key Discussions and Recommendations
Dr. Kalita emphasised the need to increase cropping intensity in Nagaland by incorporating oilseed crops in rice fallows. He revealed that ICAR Nagaland Centre is close to developing short-duration and drought-resistant crop varieties, which could revolutionise the utilisation of rice fallow areas.
C. Peter Yanthan highlighted the importance of quality production and suggested exploring indigenous cultivars. He acknowledged Nagaland’s diverse agro-ecological zones as a potential advantage for crop diversity while recognising the challenges faced by farmers. Yanthan called for enhanced collaboration between ICAR and state government departments to strengthen the oilseed sector in Nagaland.
Dr. A. Aziz Qureshi focused on generating interest among farmers in organic oilseed production. He advised farmers to form collectives for mass cultivation and marketing, emphasising the importance of value addition and establishing strong marketing linkages to maximise profits.
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Practical Insights and Future Strategies
Dr. Jawahar Lal presented comprehensive practices for various oilseed crops, including sesame, linseed, sunflower, and safflower. He suggested conducting adaptive trials to identify suitable varieties for different regions in Nagaland and promoted beekeeping as a complementary activity to boost oilseed productivity and provide additional income.
Dr. Harendra Verma shared promising data on the potential for linseed cultivation in Nagaland’s rice fallow areas. He highlighted successful varieties of linseed, sesame, and sunflower that have shown excellent results in the state.
The workshop concluded with an interactive session where stakeholders discussed strategies to enhance oilseed production in Nagaland. The event also celebrated local achievement by felicitating Yilobemo Erui, a farmer recently recognised by Guinness World Records for cultivating the tallest coriander plant.
In support of local farmers, the workshop organisers distributed agricultural inputs such as electric pumps, sprayers, and threshing sheets to 50 farmers from Chumukedima, Peren, Dimapur, and Niuland districts.
