The District Level Consultation Meeting was held on 9th May, 2019 at Parish Hall, Kolasib at 11 :00 am under the chairmanship of Mr.J. Rothanga, District Agriculture Officer and District Project Manager, FOCUSKolasib. The Chairman welcomed and thankedall the Village Council Presidents and Secretaries who made time to attend the meeting despite their busy schedule to represent their villages. He informed the members that such meetings had to be held at the requests of the United Nations Organisation who are the main funding agency of the FOCUS Project. He thanked the District Commissioner of Kolasib, Pu Zoengsanga, MCS for accepting the invitation to be the Chief Guest at a short notice since the Commissioner & Secretary of Agriculture was not able to attend the meeting due to his health issues. The meeting was witnessed by officials from different departments under Kolasib District viz. Horticulture, Animal Husbandry &Veterinary, ICAR Kolasib, Block Development Officer- Kolasib, DAO's office staff, ATMA and the invited media. The Assistant Manager (Planning) gave a brief report on the work done by DMU.
The Chief Guest in his speech requested the VC members present not to hire people from the neighbouring states to work in their farms and ponds but to start working diligently at their own farm. Hardworking is the only key to achieve success and it is in the hands of the people and the FOCUS staff to make the Project successful and also challenged the VC membersto try to be a Model District under FOCUS Project which aims to uplift the living condition of the farming family. Pu R.K Nithanga, State Project Director introduced the PMU Officers and staff and highlighted the Project activities, goals and objectives. He advised the VC members to put aside political feelings which can hinder the smooth functioning of the Project.
The afternoon session was used for discussion where the following questions were raised and discussed: -
1) There are four departments involved under this Project and why is Forest and Rural Development Department not included was the first question raised. The meeting informed that convergence has to be done not only with the four departments but with the two departments mentioned and that the PCCF and Commissioner of R.D are also members of SCRAM (Society for Climate Resilient Agriculture in Mizoram).
2) Question regarding how assistance is to be given to Village Forest Conservation Area was asked. It is mentioned in the Project Implementation Manual that construction of trenches, bunds and establishment of nursery and raising of seedlings are to be done in the village conservation area. However, assistance can also be given as per the felt needs and requirements.
3) The meeting was informed that poor road conditions are the major problems faced by the farmers. So, if construction of link road is included under this Project was the main question. The meeting was informed that around 400 km link road construction is designed under this Project and link road will be constructed as per the needs of the farmers after thorough survey.
4) Women's Farmer Club, Kawnpui asked if goatery (poor mans cow) is included in the Project. Deputy Director (Vety) informed that it wasn't included in the Project design. However, AH & Vety Department has established breeding unit at Thenzawl recently and therefore, further discussion on this topic can be done.
5) If arecanut planting material can be distributed was also asked. They were informed that they will be given as per need.
6) Bairabi South VCP pointed out that Zamuang (Mamit) has supplied the best arecanut planting material according to their experience. Questions regarding FIG's and Lead Farmer were also asked. The meeting was informed that FIG guidelines to be followed is already made and corrected after receiving input from the IF AD Office which will later be translated in the local language for all members to understand.
7) Questions regarding if church leaders can be part of the committee member or as Lead farmer was asked since such people tend to have more influence in the community. The meeting was informed that such arrangements can be made within the village with the help of Village Council members.
8) Lungmuat VC hinted that work cannot be done uniformly by all the villages since people have not been aware enough of the FOCUS Project. It was said that since the Project is in the initial stage, work cannot be done at quick pace during the current financial year but hopefully it would be working at its best in the next year.
9) North Chawnpui VCP questioned what role is "to be played by the VC's since Lead Farmers are already selected in the villages. The Chairman told the members that even though there is no direct involvement required, all the VC's are to take active part for the smooth functioning of the Project as their job is to monitor and assist the activities of the Project with the FOCUS staff.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks from Ms. Agnes Lalrintluangi (Asst. Manager, Finance) expressing gratitude to everyone for participating in the event and especially to the ATMA and DAO's staff for their assistance for the event.Out of the 53 villages under the district, 49 VCs representing their respective villages attended the meeting. The meeting ended at 2:00 p.m.
Several activities under each sector was briefly highlighted by the PMU. The State Project Director and Deputy Directors of PMU advised the FOCUS staff to have good work ethic and maintain punctuality and discipline. The DMU staff are the ones in contact with the farmers and therefore should deal the villagers with good manners and built good relationship and to always remember they are the face of FOCUS.
