6/2025-2026

Aizawl, 8th April 2025: Today, Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma held a meeting at his office with the IFAD Design Team to review the proposed implementation plan of FOCUS 2.0 in Mizoram.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for further refinements to the proposed initiatives under FOCUS 2.0. He underscored the importance of convergence with other existing schemes to maximize impact and avoid duplication of efforts. He also highlighted the need for strong inter-departmental coordination and encouraged innovation in the implementation of the project.

Mr. Piyush Kanal, Country Programme Analyst, IFAD & ICO, presented a brief overview of the outcomes achieved under the previous FOCUS project, implemented from 2019 to 2024 in six districts of Mizoram. He mentioned that the project reached 272 villages and benefited around 55,000 rural households. Among them, 41,888 households adopted climate-resilient agricultural practices as a result of the project's interventions.

The main implementation plan for the upcoming FOCUS 2.0 was outlined by Ms. Alessandra Alessandra Gage, Natural Resources Management Officer. She informed that the project aims to cover 700 villages across 26 RD Blocks in 11 districts of Mizoram. Key components of the project will include market access and entrepreneurship, value chain development, and the promotion of climate-resilient farming among rural youth and farmers.

The IFAD Design Team was accompanied by Pi Lalengzami, Additional Director, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, who also serves as the State Project Director for FOCUS, along with other project officials.