The Lunglei West Assembly Constituency MLA, Hon’ble Minister Pu C.Lalrinsanga who has the Agriculture, Irrigation & Water Resources & Cooperation Departments under his portfolio, embarked on a two-day visit to his constituency on 25th & 26th October, visiting Sazaikawn, Vanhne, Thuampui, Lungdai S, Serte, Sertlangpui, Kawlhawk, Buarpui and W Bungtlang villages.

The Minister held public meetings at these villages, interacting with Village Council members, NGO Leaders and the general populace, listening to their demands, and drawing up a roadmap for development of the far flung region.

Addressing the public, the Minister thanked them for the warm welcome accorded to him and his team. Speaking about developmental initiatives, the Minister stated that since the major infrastructure development required in the region is the development of physical connectivity, upgrading the Lunglei to Buarpui seasonal road to an all weather ‘intermediate lane’ road was the foremost on his agenda. Apart from road widening, realignment and lowering of the road would be done, with work on the 75 kms stretch expected to finish by 2022. “With better road conditions, farmers of the region would be able to send their produce to Lunglei, the capital and main hub of the District”, he added.

The Minister also visited the Buarpui Water Supply Scheme, a 400 lakhs 40 kW Solar Water Pumping Project located on the outskirts of Buarpui village. He discussed implementation of the project and requirements with Er Zodingpuia PHE SDO and other officials, assuring them of continued support to ensure completion of the project by year end. Assuring the community of the Government’s commitment to provide adequate and clean drinking water to citizens, he stated that the Government was gearing towards adapting more eco-friendly and sustainable solutions in its developmental initiatives. Talking about the Central Government’s PM-Kusum Scheme he informed the public that solar powered water pumps would be distributed amongst the farmers in the next few months.

Speaking about initiatives under the Agriculture Department, the Minister stressed on the need for Mizoram farmers to adopt environment friendly farming practices, stating that indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has led to an increase in incidence of cancer and other diseases, through the toxic residues present in the grains and other edible parts of plants. Plans are underway to convert the state to Organic Farming, with Bio Fertilizer Production Laboratories and Biocontrol Pesticide Laboratories to be set up in different parts of the state, he stated, adding that funds for the same has already been approved at the CM level. He also appealed to the farmers to make use of the Farmers’ Pension - Pradhan Mantri Kisan Mandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) and Crop Insurance - Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana(PMFBY).

The Minister was accompanied by Additional DC Pu David Liansanglura Pachuau, Lunglei DAO Pu Tlangtimawia Zote, DIPRO Pi C. Lalremruati, ARCS Lunglei Pu H. Lalnuntluanga, I&WR SDO Pu Lalbiakdika and other officials. Three Members of the Agriculture Development Board under flagship program Socio Economic Development Policy (SEDP) - Pu Lalropuia Pachuau, Pu Lalsangliana Hnamte leh Pu Lalruatfela Colney were also present at the tour.