Mizoram - Efresh India

Mizoram
Date of Formation: 20 Feb 1987
Geographical Area (Sq. Km): 21,087
Capital: Aizwal
Population: 891,058
Agricultural Products: Maize and paddy. Pulses, sugarcane, chilly, ginger, turmeric, potato,
tobacco, vegetables, banana and pineapple are the other important crops.
Given the natural endowments, it is not surprising that nearly four-fifth of Mizoram's population
is engaged agricultural and related activities. The main pattern of agriculture followed is Jhum or
shifting cultivation. Of the 21 lakh hectares available for cultivation, close to a third (6.3 lakh ha)
is suitable for horticulture crops; yet, barely 4,000 ha are under cultivation. There is huge
untapped potential. The main horticulture crops are fruits including mandarin orange, banana,
passion fruit, grapes, pineapple and papaya. Floriculture covers anthurium, orchid,
chrysanthemum and rose.
Spices such as ginger, turmeric and pepper are gaining popularity. People have started cultivation
of oil palm as well as medicinal and aromatic plants. Scientific cultivation of tea has been taken
up, so is mushroom. These diversification strategies have been necessitated to wean peasants
away from the back-breaking Jhum methods. Rice, maize, pulses, oilseeds and potato are major
field crops. The State is not self-sufficient in rice although it is the principal crop. The farming
methods (Jhum cultivation) are antiquated and yields are low. There is need for education and

extension activity. Floriculture sector holds great promise because of suitable agro-climatic
conditions.
Growing anthurium and rose under greenhouse conditions can be taken up gainfully as soil
conditions are favourable and water quality high. In particular, Mizoram anthurium has the
potential to carve a niche for itself in the global marketplace.
Longitude
Latitude
Geographical Location
92°.15’E to 93°29’E
21°.58’ N to 24°.35’ N
North to South
East to West
Length
277 kms
121 kms
With Myanmar
With Bangladesh
International Borders
404 kms
318 kms
With Assam
With Tripura
With Manipur
Inter State Borders
123 kms
66 kms
95 kms
HORTICULTURE
The economy of over 70 percent of the population in Mizoram is entirely based on land.
Jhuming/shifting cultivation is the mainstay of the people. Of the total 21 lakhs ha. of land
estimated, 6.30 lakhs ha. of land is available for horticultural crops. The existing area under
various horticultural crops accounts for about 60,000 ha. which is only about 9.52 percent of the
estimated potential area of 6.30 lakhs ha. This indicates the vast scope for horticultural crops to
flourish in Mizoram. The major horticultural crops are oranges, passion fruits, ginger, banana,
pineapple, hatkora, lemon. squash, mustard, cabbage, french bean. Floriculture, tea, mushroom
cultivation and medicinal plants are also given priority for large scale production.
Anthurium:
Anthurium is one of the thrust floriculture crops identified for Mizoram because of many
advantages, such as increasing demand, ideal agro climatic conditions, availability of group of
progressive farmers having fertile land and other infrastructure facilities to take up this activity. In
2003 Holland auctioned 17.9 million Euro worth of anthuriums. International market for flowers
and accessories is as high as 50 billion and has been growing at a steady pace. Mizoram with its
world class anthuriums is sure to carve a niche for itself. The Department of Horticulture

introduces commercial scale cultivation of Anthurium in the month of November, 2002 under
Technology Mission for integrated Development of Horticulture in North Eastern States.
Rose:
Commercial scale cultivation of quality Rose under Hi-Tech Green House has been taken-up in
Mizoram since the year 2006, covering an area of 42,516 sq.mt. till 2007-2008. The first cut
flower of Rose was harvested in April 2007 and continued the harvest at an increasing rate. At
present the volume of Rose cut flower harvest is not less than 7,000 nos. per day. These cut
flowers are marketed by M/s ZOPAR Export Pvt. Ltd. within the country.
The quality of Mizoram Rose is a world class Rose and more than 10 different varieties are being
grown which are the choice of the consumers and florists. There is a vast market prospect in
floriculture business in Mizoram for interested buyers/exporter.
Fruit crops:
The agro-climatic condition in Mizoram is found to be very suitable for growing a wide range of
fruit crops out of which mandarin orange is the dominant fruit crop, the total area covered under
this crop was 6395 hectares with a total production of 41567 MT during 2007- 08. The next
important fruit crop is Banana, the total production during 2007-08 was 151519 MT covering an
area of 6220 hectares. A considerable amount of passion fruit is also produced in Mizoram, the
area and production during 2007-08 was 8944 hectares and 44720 MT respectively. Keeping
these in view, the Government has laid emphasis on developing fruit crops of high market
potential like Passion fruit, Orange, Hatkora, Banana etc by area expansion and other essential
measures.
Area, Production & Yield Rate of Principal Horticultural Crops in Mizoram:
Sl.
No.
Name of Crops
Area in Ha Production
in MT
2006-2007 2007-2008
Yield MT /
Area in Ha Production
Ha
in MT
Yield MT /
Ha
1. Orange 5395 34366 6.37 6395 41567 6.5
2. Banana 5020 119676 23.84 6220 151519 24.36
3. Passion Fruit 1109 4979 4.49 8944 44720 5.00
4. Arecanut 1562 4436 2.8 1562 4451 2.85
5. Ginger 3426 55432 16.17 3587 57010 15.89
6.
Birdeye Chillis
(Dry)
792 1077 1.36 100 200 2.00
7. Turmeric 535 10074 18.83 4175 83500 20.00
8.
Chow Chow
(Squash)
664 24455 36.8 714 26418 37.00
9. Cabbage 236 3684 15.6 200 5000 25.00
Source: Statistical Handbook of Mizoram 2008, Economic Survey Mizoram 2008-09

Area, Production and Yield Rate of Spices in Mizoram
Spices 2006-07 2007-08
Area in
Hectare
Production
in MT
Yield
MT/Ha
Area in
Hectare
Produc
tion in
MT
Yield
MT/Ha
Ginger 3426 55432 16.17 3587 57010 15.89
Birdeye Chillies
792 1077 1.36 100 200 2.00
(Dry)
Turmeric 535 10074 18.83 4175 83500 20.00
Source: Statistical Handbook Mizoram 2008