Correspondent

 

TEZU, May 26:

 

In an attempt to encourage alternative livelihood to opium cultivation, a series of awareness programmes were held across Lohit district recently by the department of Horticulture in collaboration with the district administration.

The department educated the cultivators about the tremendous commercial value of Stevia and Lemon.

“This cash crop with low risk can yield very high returns for five years. It’s called wonder herb and is traditionally accepted medicinal plants for diabetic market. This is the first time the opium growers of Lohit were given Stevia as cash crops”, informs S Rehman HDO.

Presently farmers have been shortlisted, land preparation is in process and by the end of first week of June plantation will start. Moreover, according to distribution beneficiaries have been marked into three groups—Wakro Stevia Group, Tezu Stevia Group and Sunpura Stevia Group. 

Further explaining in brief about its significance, Vijit Boruah Director Devoban Bio - Agrotech Bokakhat Assam as a resource person also highlighted its huge potential in the diabetes world and assured to provide technical guidance to the farmers.  

“We have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the three groups to offer saplings and its proper marketing. The Stevia will be harvested in three months and will fetch Rs 150 for a Kg of dry leaf”, he said. 

Meanwhile, from the administration’s side, Prisila Tayeng EAC Tezu, D Riba EAC Wakro and V Billai CO Sunpura are the nodal officers monitoring the entire plantation process.      

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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
Phone: 0360-2212313

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