Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma chaired a crucial review meeting of the Land Resources, Soil & Water Conservation Department, with a strong focus on advancing the state's flagship Rubber Mission. Held at the Secretariat Conference Hall, the meeting brought together key officials from the Chief Minister's Office, Planning and Finance Departments.
In his address, Lalduhoma emphasized that the state government is committed to driving new developments, and that such review meetings are not meant to assign blame but to better understand on-ground challenges and facilitate informed decision making. He called on all government employees to participate actively in the state's vision for progress, underlining the importance of effective implementation over mere policy formulation.
The Rubber Mission, which forms a central part of Mizoram's economic diversification strategy, received special attention during the discussions. A total of Rs. 2,798.13 lakh has been allocated under NABARD's Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF-XXX), with Rs. 1,364.14 lakh already sanctioned in the current financial year.
The initial implementation has begun in Kolasib and Mamit districts and will expand to other districts next year, aiming to cover more than 1,000 hectares annually. To meet rising demand and ensure the success of rubber plantations, the government will prioritize the construction of link roads to rubber clusters. The timely and adequate supply of rubber saplings to farmers was also highlighted as a critical requirement. In a bid to support rubber growers and improve processing capacity, 100 rubber rolling machine sets will be distributed to rubber clusters at subsidized rates under the department's Handholding initiative.
Land Resources Secretary Lalsangliana outlined ongoing works such as hillside terracing, water tank construction, soil conservation, link road development, and the promotion of cash crops including coffee, areca nut, broom, and rubber. He also announced the establishment of arecanut processing units at Chemphai and Zamuang with support from the North Eastern Council.
India's top Northeast restaurants Minister Lalthansanga expressed appreciation for the Chief Minister's leadership, noting that the meeting was a valuable opportunity to realign departmental priorities. The Chief Minister, in turn, commended the openness and commitment of officials, concluding the session with a call for continued collaboration and regular review mechanisms to ensure development goals are met effectively.