Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh led a transformative high-level meeting in Wokha, Nagaland, reinforcing the Centre’s commitment to holistic development in Northeast India. The key themes of the Dr. Jitendra Singh Wokha meeting were the application of science and technology, sustainable agriculture, and grassroots women’s leadership.
The Dr. Jitendra Singh Wokha meeting saw participation from officials of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), ICAR, local governments, educators, and civil society leaders.
Building Scientific Capacity in the Northeast
Highlights from the Dr. Jitendra Singh Wokha Meeting
Dr. Jitendra Singh outlined a multi-pronged plan to leverage science and innovation for regional development. Core decisions include:
- Setting up Technology Incubation Centers under DST
- Expanding collaboration with NEIST Jorhat
- Funding localized climate-resilient agriculture with ICAR support
“The goal is to take science to the field — from labs to livelihoods,” Dr. Singh emphasized.
This reflects India’s broader Act East policy, enhancing self-reliance in border districts like Wokha and creating skilled jobs in remote areas.
Agriculture Meets Innovation
Empowering Farmers Through Research and Local Tech
A strong focus of the Dr. Jitendra Singh Wokha meeting was making agriculture sustainable, smart, and tech-enabled.
Highlights include:
- Creating smart farming demonstration zones in Wokha with support from ICAR and NEIST
- Encouraging youth-led agritech startups via DST’s Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) program
- Promoting organic certification for Nagaland crops to boost global export potential
This ties into the broader aim of integrating the region with India’s One District One Product (ODOP) initiative.
Empowering Women at the Grassroots
Dr. Jitendra Singh Wokha Meeting Prioritizes Gender-Inclusive Development
A standout aspect of the Wokha meeting was the focus on empowering rural women in STEM and agribusiness. Announcements included:
- STEM mentorship programs for girls through CSIR initiatives
- Scaling up women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs) across Nagaland
- Leadership fellowships for tribal women in agriculture and climate action
- Expansion of Vigyan Jyoti STEM mentoring to all districts in the state
Dr. Singh applauded Nagaland’s tradition of women-led cooperative societies, highlighting them as models for replication across the region.
Strengthening Regional Infrastructure and Connectivity
A Vision Beyond the Wokha Meeting
The Wokha meeting also addressed infrastructure gaps critical to Nagaland’s integration with the national economy:
- Fast-tracked completion of rural roads and optical fiber networks
- Enhanced connectivity under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS)
- Integration with neighboring hubs like IIT Guwahati for research partnerships
Wokha’s potential as a regional knowledge and agri-tech hub was firmly acknowledged.
Voices from the Ground
The meeting received strong local backing. Wokha farmer-leader T. Kikon stated:
“This is the most actionable and inclusive roadmap we’ve seen for real change.”
The Ministry also announced quarterly monitoring for transparent execution and community-level reporting.
Why the Dr. Jitendra Singh Wokha Meeting Matters
This meeting marks a pivotal step in empowering youth, farmers, and women across the Northeast. For regional entrepreneurs, scholars, and community leaders, it opens new doors to government grants, incubation, and sustainable livelihood schemes.
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