Kikheto seeks region-specific approach to SDG indicators

Mokokchung, 29^th September 2026 (Nokinketer News): Principal Secretary and Development Commissioner Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS, has called for greater flexibility and region-specific approaches in the implementation and assessment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the distinct geographical, socio-economic and cultural realities of Nagaland and the North Eastern Region (NER).

Kikheto raised the issues during the National Workshop on SDG Budgeting organised by NITI Aayog and UNDP and hosted by the Government of West Bengal under the State Support Mission in Kolkata on Tuesday.

Speaking on financial inclusion, aligned with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), the Development Commissioner said access to banking services was crucial for effective delivery of government welfare schemes, as benefits are largely linked to bank accounts.

He pointed out that 14 of Nagaland’s 76 blocks remain unbanked, with people in some remote areas having to travel 30–40 km to access banking services. He urged the Government of India to consider appropriate financial support and explore innovative mechanisms to improve the viability and accessibility of banking services in underserved areas.

Kikheto also stressed the need to contextualise the indicators used in the SDG India Index to better reflect the realities of Nagaland and the NER.

Under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), he cited indicators such as average rice yield and productivity of fruits and vegetables, stating that these may not fully capture Nagaland’s agricultural context. He noted that the State remains relatively untouched by the Green Revolution and that many farmers continue to practise jhum and shifting cultivation.

He said lower agricultural productivity should not, by itself, be interpreted as an indication of food insecurity or poor agricultural performance. Instead, such indicators should be considered alongside local cropping patterns, nutritional outcomes, environmental sustainability, high-value crops and farm incomes.

The Development Commissioner also raised concerns over the SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) indicator relating to the area under jhum cultivation as a percentage of total agricultural area, for which the target is set at zero.

He said the indicator needs to be viewed in the context of the hilly States of the NER, where jhum is not merely an agricultural practice but is closely linked to the culture, traditions and livelihoods of communities. Agricultural cycles, he added, are also associated with traditional festivals and community practices.

Kikheto stressed that jhum should therefore not be assessed solely as a practice to be eliminated, but should also be examined from ecological, cultural and livelihood perspectives.

He further pointed out that although Nagaland has eight Agriculture and Allied Departments staffed with agricultural professionals, indigenous farming systems, including jhum and shifting cultivation, are not adequately covered in agricultural education curricula.

Calling for greater alignment between agricultural education and ground realities, he advocated inclusion of jhum and shifting cultivation in the curricula of agricultural colleges and institutions, particularly across the NER, to promote research and develop context-specific approaches to indigenous farming systems.

On nutrition under SDG 2, Kikheto also sought contextual consideration of the indicator relating to the percentage of women aged 15–49 with a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 18.5. While acknowledging the WHO classification as a standard benchmark, he noted the distinct demographic, anthropometric and socio-cultural characteristics of the NER and suggested examining whether a uniform BMI benchmark adequately captures nutritional status across diverse populations.

The Development Commissioner emphasised that India’s geographical, cultural and socio-economic diversity requires region-sensitive policies and programmes. He called for greater flexibility in national policies, schemes and cost norms while incorporating the perspectives of States and local communities.

The national workshop brought together senior officers from 36 States and Union Territories, Ministries of the Government of India, UNDP and other stakeholders to deliberate on strengthening SDG budgeting and its integration into State planning and budgeting processes.

The Nagaland delegation comprised Principal Secretary and Development Commissioner Y. Kikheto Sema, Finance Commissioner and Commissioner & Secretary to the Chief Minister Kesonyu Yhome, IAS, and Assistant Planning Officer Loktimen Longchari.