Rice cultivation area increases in Mizoram

Mizoram Governor Lt General (retd) Nirbhay Sharma today said that there was 39.01 per cent increase in rice cultivation area in the state since 2010.
Delivering his address in the state legislature on the first day of the budget session, Sharma said increase in the rice cultivation area to 14.23 per cent could be attributed to the implementation of the New Land Use Policy (NLUP).
The state's rice production also increased by 22.21 per cent since 2010, of which 9.50 per cent increase was contributed by the Wet Rice Cultivation beneficiaries under the NLUP, he said.
He claimed that the NLUP had also been a substantial contributor in decrease of jhum (shifting cultivation) area to the tune of 29.75 per cent, from 28,562 hectare in 2010 as compared to jhum area of 8,497 hectare in 2015.

Mizoram government would establish a Horticulture College at Thenzawl in central Serchhip district, the governor said, adding that classes for first batch B.Sc (Horticulture) would be started in the ensuing new academic session at the Veterinary College, Selesih, near Aizawl under the Central Agriculture University, Imphal.
He added that efforts were being made to establish a medical College (Mizoram Institute of Medical Education and Research - MIMER) with an estimated cost of Rs 189 crore by upgrading existing infrastructure of the state referral hospital at Falkawn, near Aizawl.
Today's was the maiden address in the state legislature by Sharma who was appointed last year.