Mizoram is widening the support available for livelihoods and employment through the next stage of Bana Kaih. On Friday, Chief Minister Lalduhoma opened Handholding 3.0 at the Irrigation & Water Resources Conference Hall in Aizawl, while the government outlined additional measures intended to create more ways for residents to earn.
A programme spanning farms, processing and finance
Bana Kaih is not limited to its three better-known parts: agricultural procurement, loans and the Chief Minister’s Special Package. Lalduhoma said it spans a wider group of government development programmes, with the third phase adding fresh livelihood and employment measures. The broader scope treats support as a collection of linked activities rather than a single loan facility.
Within the infrastructure and livelihood portfolio, Luangmual is set to host a turmeric processing industry and Sairang a ginger processing unit. The programme also includes the CM’s Innovation Challenge and the Mizoram Handholding Venture Capital Fund. Together, these activities place processing capacity and venture funding alongside farm production.
Equipment procurement covers solar dryers and slicing machines, while wheat and maize are included through contract farming. At Thenzawl’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Farm, construction will add drying sheds and facilities for making hay. These additions show that equipment and post-harvest facilities are also part of the livelihood plan.
Long-standing commitments and loan accountability
Lalduhoma said several long-standing government commitments are being fulfilled gradually through Handholding. They include buying agricultural produce, using 100% interest subvention to provide loans without interest, and issuing government bank guarantees.
He praised the cooperation of partner banks and pointed to beneficiaries’ progress in repaying loans. He also said the initiative is contributing to a process he described as moral reformation.
Two new support measures remain under consideration
To assist young people looking for work outside Mizoram, the government is considering a Foreign Placement Loan within Handholding. The proposal is still at the consideration stage and has not been announced as a launched facility.
A rehabilitation scheme is also proposed for the third phase. It would cover Progress Partners whose projects failed because of circumstances beyond their control.
Organic inputs and closer project oversight
On agriculture, Lalduhoma called for a stronger push toward organic farming. The government plans to steadily lower reliance on chemical fertilisers brought from outside Mizoram while increasing production and use of organic fertilisers made locally. This policy direction links local input production with reduced dependence on outside supplies.
He also demanded stronger monitoring of projects, linking inadequate follow-up to the failure of several projects in the state. Closer oversight is therefore needed to track implementation more effectively.
Beneficiaries were urged to cooperate with implementing departments and partner banks and to ensure that funds are properly used. Proper utilisation is central to delivering the scheme’s livelihood objectives.
Lalduhoma placed Handholding within the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He appealed for united work under Team Mizoram, saying that a stronger state economy depends on generating additional livelihood opportunities.
