NAMSAI, May 20: Development Commissioner & Advisor, Professor AK Mudgal from the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) called on the Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein here in Namsai today to discuss matters relating to the development of agri-clusters in the district and in the state to increase the average income of farmers to Rs 100,000 per annum.
Accompanied by Bhopal’s Nisarg Agrotech CEO Nidhi Chaturvedi, Mudgal said that the core vision of the agri-cluster development is to elevate the average income of farmers of the district and to develop a strong agro-based value chain in the state. For this, three clusters have been proposed in two phases in Namsai district.
Highlighting on the project, Mudgal informed that Phase-I of the agri-cluster development, which is already underway will involve cultivation of 100 acres of aloe vera in Namsai district.Along with assured ‘buyback’ for aloe vera crop, the unique feature of this cluster will be the free distribution of moringa seeds for farmers by Nisarg Agrotech, besides the establishment of processing units for cattle feed and aloe vera gel extraction.
He further informed that the moringa seeds will be planted at the periphery of the fields and will provide continuous supply of protein-rich food source for the farmers, while its leaves will be utilised to produce cattle feed as additional income to the farmers.
“Phase-II of Agri-cluster development will involve development of two agri-clusters: one based on turmeric and the second will be moringa based,” said Professor Mudgal.
He further added that these agri-clusters will be developed under the MSME, Government of India’s Kalptaru Scheme for agri-cluster development.
These clusters will involve cultivation, primary, secondary and tertiary processing of both moringa and turmeric crops. A whole value addition chain will be developed in the district, enabling a robust agro-processing infrastructure.
These clusters are expected to cater and cover 1,500 farmers of the state and aims to raise their average income with assured buyback.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
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