Mizoram Farming Model Attracts Global Funding

Aizawl, Sep 4 : The Mizoram government's farming scheme that aims to support over 1,25,000 families in the state has attracted international funding and global agencies' support, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said.

"A tri-partite agreement was signed between Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Union agriculture ministry and the Mizoram government for technical co-operation for the flagship programme - the New Land Use Policy (NLUP)," Lal Thanhawla said in a meeting.

An official quoting the chief minister said that, under this agreement, $4,96,000 has been received from the FAO. "Under the NLUP, over 1,25,000 families would be given financial assistance and training for permanent settled farming instead of 'jhum' cultivation," Lal Thanhawla said Tribals in the northeastern states practice 'jhum' or slashand-burn cultivation.

This shifting form of farming usually involves cutting down of entire forests in the hills and allowing the slashed vegetation to dry on mountain slopes prior to burning. Rice is grown along with vegetables, maize, cotton and mustard, among others.

The CM said that a pact was recently signed between the Mizoram government and the Tata Trust wherein the latter would contribute Rs 18 crore for promoting livelihood activities to supplement the NLUP programme.