Agriculture Ministry wants to strengthen rice cultivation in Northeastern states

NEW DELHI: Rice cultivation is all set to be encouraged in India's northeastern states as they will be receiving Rs 100 crore during this year from the Agriculture Ministry. This funds will be used for supporting different activities related to rice cultivation under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM).

Reports suggest that under NFSM-rice, all the eight north-eastern states, consisting Sikkim, are being covered. Till 2011, just Assam past of NFSM-rice.

Under this mission, the northeastern states will be given help for various activities consisting seed distribution, soil management, pest control, machines & tools, training and also field demonstrations.

This scheme is expected to bring improvement in rice yield, which is quite low in the northern-eastern states. It will be helping in boosting self-sufficiency in rice production.

According to official data, Arunachal Pradesh will get Rs 7.36 crore, Assam Rs 30.94 crore, Manipur Rs 11.45 crore, Meghalaya Rs 7.31 crore, Mizoram Rs 3.8 crore, Nagaland Rs 11.87 crore, Sikkim Rs 0.89 core and Rs 21.88 crore for Tripura.