The Green-Ag Project State Inception workshop inauguration programme, was held in Aizwal to inform and orient different stakeholders about the project objective. 

The Green-Ag project aims to catalyse sustainable transformation of Indian agriculture, without compromising the country’s food security and farmers’ income. The project seeks to mainstream biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable land management objectives and practices into Indian agriculture.

The Green-Ag Project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through its sixth funding cycle. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) is the National Executing Agency and FAO is the designated GEF Implementing Agency. The Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is the GEF Operational Focal Point and coordinates all GEF projects in the country.

Shri Tomio Shichiri, FAO – India Representative, virtually addressed the Mizoram government team from New Delhi office. He emphasized that the Green-Ag project will help the local people  to take advantage of rich agrobiodiversity  present in their landscape for sustainability of agriculture & livestock production practices, promotion of secondary agriculture, establishment of green value chains and thereby enhancing their incomes.

“Green-Ag project will bring a paradigm shift in forest management to provide a better ecosystem services, conservation of biodiversity and reduction in human-wildlife conflict in the project landscape,” says Mr. Shichiri.

Dr. Alka Bhargava, Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare (DAC&FW), Government of India, and Member, National Project Steering Committee (NPSC) of Green-Ag project, also virtually attended the programme. She termed the Green-Ag project is a medium to strengthen the symbiotic link between sustainable agriculture, conservation of biodiversity and development.

“This project becomes unique for its site selection. The landscape has revenue villages and community land in close conjunction with national parks and protected areas,” said Ms. Bhargava.

She also listed out different ongoing programmes under various ministries, which could be converged to get better results for Green-Ag project. Also, she urged Mizoram Government to increase to consider diversification of crops. She dwelt upon the need of improving water use efficiency in agriculture sector in the state by adoption modern techniques of irrigation.

Shri. C. Lalrinsanga,  Hon’ble Minister, Agriculture, Irrigation & Water Resources and Cooperation Department, Govt. of Mizoram, was the Chief Guest of this event. He laid stress on the balance between natural resource conservation and the fulfillment of economic needs. 

“As population increasing, we cannot afford to be unsustainable,” says Lalrinsanga, who addressed in person to the stakeholders in the capital city held at the SAMETI conference Hall, Aizwal.

He also said that his ministry would support Green-Ag project as this will help in  economic upliftment to the people of 35 villages of  this area.

Dr. Thomas Hofer, Senior Forestry Officer, RAP, Lead Technical Officer (LTO), Green-Ag Project, FAO RAP, Bangkok, virtually addressed the Mizoram stakeholders. He emphasized upon inherent complexities and emerging opportunities in this project. He underscored upon the uniqueness of this project and keen interest is being shown by the GEF in the outcomes of the project.

“The success of this programme would tell the world how Landscape Assessment approach can bring change at both local and global level” said Hofer.

 Mizoram is one of the five states (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha, and Uttarakhand) where the project is being  implemented. The  geographical area of Mizoram project landscape is 145 670 ha, in Lunglei and Mamit district having 35 villages and includes two protected areas, “Dampa Tiger Reserves” and “Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary”. The Department of Agriculture (Crop Husbandry), Government of Mizoram, is the nodal agency for this project.