AIZAWL, April 27 - The Mizoram government is trying its best to reduce the scale of importing fruits and vegetables from outside the state by boosting the volume of local produce. Towards achieving this target, the Zoramthanga government has put in both effort and money.
One way towards achieving this goal was by distributing seeds of vegetables and fruits among the local farmers during this planting season free of cost.
The ongoing COVID-19 induced lockdown has highlighted the urgent need to boost local produce.
According to sources in the Horticulture Department, distribution of seeds of fruits and vegetables began from April 17. Over Rs 30 lakh worth of seeds were distributed among the farmers across Mizoram till date, according to the source.
Since the need for seeds is huge, the Horticulture Department has placed order worth Rs 12 lakh. The consignments are expected to arrive in the State any of these days from Kolkata and Guwahati, the source added.
In previous years, the seeds were given only to those beneficiaries registered under the Horticulture Department.
�However, owing to the hardship faced by the farmers because of the lockdown, we are sharing their burden by making the seeds available to all the farmers across the State,� the source added.
Further, various other strategies too have been adopted by the Zoramthanga government in order to uplift the local farmers.
