5 lakh fruit trees to be planted in Nagaland by end of 2022

KOHIMA, Nagaland: The Entrepreneurs Associates (TEA), a non-governmental organisation, has launched an initiative, ‘Trees for Wealth’, under which it plans to make Nagaland into the fruit hub of India by planting nearly 5 lakh fruit trees in the state by the end of 2022.

Neichute Doulo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Entrepreneurs Associates (TEA), while addressing the conference, said that it is a one-of-a-kind initiative, launched in November 2019, to transform the local economy, restore and conserve the environment by planting fruit trees under the theme of ‘Micro by One, Volume by Mass.’

Doulo hoped that up to one million farmers and other individuals will plant 1000 fruit trees on average, resulting in the plantation of one billion fruit trees. He added, “The widespread plantation of fruit trees by community, governmental organisations, and civil society organisations would turn Nagaland into India’s fruit hub.”

The villagers, who want to join the initiative, must include at least 50 farmers with proper land. TEA, on the other hand, will provide plant saplings free of cost and training to preserve and nurture fruit trees.

Under the initiative, saplings of trees like plum, orange, lime, guava, persimmon, mango, avocado, fig, tamarillo (Naga tree tomato), pears, walnut, litchee, etc. will be provided to the farmers. Doulo said various cash crops and spices have been promoted under this initiative.