Amidst the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, Nagaland is witnessing a drought like situation due to delayed and erratic rains.<br />''<br />''The agriculture and horticulture crops under Jhum cultivation have been adversely affected leading to poor germination and wilting of standing crops.<br />'' <br />''This was informed by the Agriculture Production Commissioner, APC Nagaland Y Kikheto Sema during a Press conference held today in Kohima. Kikheto said 68,662 hectares of Jhum fields in 915 villages of the districts are affected by deficient rains.<br />'' <br />''Rice production of the state is anticipated to reduce to 1.66 lakh Metric Ton during the current year from 5.51 lakh Metric Ton for the year 2020-2021, a reduction of 70 per cent if the present dry spell continues, he added.<br />'' <br />''The APC said the shortage of rainfall has not only affected the production of normal seasonal crops but also affected commercial crops like large cardamom, fruits and vegetables and other livestock such as fisheries, piggery and others.<br />'' <br />''He said the agricultural scenario has further aggravated through infestation by Fall Armyworm, FAW during the last week of March affecting 3048.45 hectares of maize crop covering 334 villages.<br />'' <br />''Despite timely intervention by the departments, he said the FAW infestation could not be completely neutralized. Besides, intervention like seeds distribution and planting materials for re-sowing in the affected jhum fields could not achieve the desired result due to the shortfall of rain.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">To mitigate the issue, Kikheto also said a core committee of the Agri & Allied Department headed by the APC has been set up to monitor and review the ground situation timely as per the reports received from the field.   </span><br />