Silchar, Sept. 24: The Mizoram government has started implementing its ambitious agricultural project, the Mizoram Intodelhna Project (MIP), which aims at revolutionising farming practices in the state.

An official report said modern farming implements would be made available to Mizo farmers, who are still dependent on primitive farming methods, including jhum cultivation.

The total cost of the project, to be implemented in four years, is pegged at Rs. 54.39 crore. Of this, 77.5 per cent will cover the outlay for development components, the report added. The rest will go into administration, community organisations and farmer training.

Each of the 7,9812 families in 682 villages identified under the scheme will get a grant of Rs 50,000, both in cash and in the form of farming equipment.

The project initiated by the Mizo National Front government will focus on cash crops like potato, onion, garlic, pulses, oil seeds, soyabean, maize, ginger, orange, pineapple, and passion fruit, which are easily grown in this hilly state.

The newly-created State Marketing Board will facilitate the sale of the state’s products in the domestic and international market.

The state’s agriculture, horticulture and rural development departments will act as nodal agencies for this innovative project, the report added.