Dimapur : Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ram Nath Thakur on Thursday said the Central Government stands ready to extend all possible assistance to farmers in Nagaland and ensure effective implementation of agricultural schemes in the state.

Addressing an official programme in Longleng attended by heads of departments and civil society organisations, Thakur said Nagaland continues to make progress through various initiatives of the Centre. He emphasised that the Prime Minister remains particularly concerned about farmers’ welfare and is keen to ensure that they fully benefit from government schemes.

The minister urged the agriculture and allied departments to furnish detailed data on the total area under cultivation in the state, including the number of hectares being farmed and the number of farmers engaged in agricultural activities.

He also enquired about the operational status of the Soil Testing Laboratory in Nagaland and whether its services are effectively reaching and benefiting the farming community.

Highlighting the Centre’s commitment to agricultural development, Thakur called upon farmers to avail themselves of all available government schemes. He further urged the state government to focus on addressing challenges faced by farmers and to prioritise agricultural growth.

Stressing the importance of accountability, the minister directed officials to ensure proper implementation of schemes and to make certain that benefits reach the grassroots level. He also underscored the need for periodic reviews to assess the effectiveness of centrally sponsored schemes in Nagaland.

Speaking on the occasion, Longleng Deputy Commissioner W. Manpai Phom expressed gratitude to the visiting minister and presented a comprehensive report on the district’s development status through a PowerPoint presentation.