At Delhi meet, Mizoram pushes for all-weather farm roads

Aizawl: Mizoram agriculture & farmers’welfare minister PC Vanlalruata on Friday stressed the need for all-weather farm roads in the state, citing cultivation in hilly, difficult terrain and heavy rainfall across the northeast.Speaking at the National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign in New Delhi, Vanlalruata sought central assistance to build roads linking cultivation areas. He also called for higher quality and larger rainwater harvesting tanks to support agriculture fields in the northeastern states despite abundant annual rainfall.Vanlalruata thanked the central govt for the price support scheme that has enabled the state to purchase seeds of ‘behliang’ (pigeon pea), ‘chhawhchhi’ (sesame) and sunflower.Highlighting Mizoram’s distinct climate and cool weather compared to plains, he urged the Centre to design farmer schemes tailored to the state’s terrain and climate.The conference discussed methods for growing kharif crops and related issues, along with concerns over extensive chemical fertiliser use and the need to prioritise natural farming. Deliberations also included boosting oilseed production to reduce edible oil imports.The minister attended the conference with additional secretary Lalnunhlua and other officials from the state agriculture & farmers’ welfare department.