The state government has supported the department under untied fund for procurement and distribution of about 1 , 13,000 No. of arecanut saplings covering 6 (six) districts. It has brought additional area coverage of about 80 Ha. under arecanut plantation during the year bringing the total area under arecanut plantation in the state to 1 ,227 Ha.

Under post-Covid-19 economic recovery plan, supported by NEC, remaining 02 Nos of areca leaf plate making machines out of total 07 approved was distributed to educated unemployed youths of Dimapur and Zunheboto districts. Each plate making machine has a 5.5 kilowatt heater and operates with a single-phase 2 hp electric motor. The machine hot-presses softened areca leaf sheaths into various shapes of plates and spoons. The production capacity of each machine is about 500 plates per day. Training on operation and maintenance of the machines have also been imparted to the beneficiaries.

The department has been promoting the crop to achieve dual objectives of generating employment and utilizing the leaf sheaths for making eco-friendly cutleries as a replacement to plastics