Dimapur, Nov 27: Nagaland Agriculture Minister, Kaito Aye has stressed on the need of practical solutions for food production and food security without adversely affecting the natural ecosystem and environment.

Addressing the 5th Asia Organic Youth Forum , Aye also felt the importance of younger generation to engage in agriculture and related activities, adding that the society, economy and future depend on the ingenuity and solution the youth can bring up with.

Stating that farmers are the backbone of rural economy in the state, the minister said, “Nagaland is an agrarian society with above 70 per cent of population living in rural areas where majority households are farmers.”

Deliberating about organic agriculture, Aye said the first thing has to be about empowering the farmers in the village who is practically engaged in farming.

Aye also pointed out that so far 6000 hectares have been certified as organic and 7000 hectares was under conversion with compliance to National Programme for Organic Production by OneCert International Pvt. Ltd. as certifying agency.

To facilitate stronger marketing access under the ownership of grower’s organisation, Aye stated that the state government has registered the brand “Naga Organic” where Farmers Producer Organisation (FPOs) and entrepreneurs under the mission organic value chain development (MOVCD) have started selling their produce and products.