Ibobi bats for enhanced productivity
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 05 2016 : Capacity building and socio-economic alleviation of farmers of all the Northeastern States are crucial in order to enhance agricultural productivity, asserted Chief Minister O Ibobi while ex-pressing keen desire for Agri- culture Department, Horti-culture Department, ICAR, CAU and other relevant departments/agencies to put in concerted efforts to address common problems of farmers effectively.

Chief Minister Ibobi was the chief guest at the inaugural function of a national seminar on "Integrating Agri-Horticultural and Allied Research for Food and Nutritional Security in the Era of Global Climate Disruption" held at RIMS Jubilee Hall.

Ibobi asserted that relevant departments, CAU, research institutions and agencies ought to pay special attention to introduce the most scientific and sustainable methods of agriculture in the State.

Ibobi bats for enhanced productivity

Highlighting that the valley area which constitutes just 10 per cent of the total geographical area of Manipur is better suited for different sustainable agricultural practices, Ibobi called upon scientists and experts to provide necessary inputs and technical assistance so that farmers can improve agricultural technologies and enhance their crop productivity.

At present, farmers can earn little profit from their agricultural produces.

The situation demands a slew of measures for socio-economic alleviation of farmers apart from enhancing agricultural productivity of the State, Ibobi asserted.

CAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Moirangthem Premjit remarked that farmers of the State are very resourceful and with little input, they can be successfully introduced modern, scientific and sustainable methods of agriculture.

There has been no report of farmers committing suicide in Manipur and the other Northeastern States although suicide cases have been disturbingly reported every now and then from other parts of the country.

This can be attributed to integrated farming system which is prevalent in the region.

With the Government of India now paying special attention to the Northeastern region, due initiatives have been taken up to launch Green Revolution in the region and this would turn out to be a path-breaker for the farmers of the region, Dr Premjit said.

There is no seed certification facility in the region with the exception of Assam and Sikkim.

A large number of cultivators are now facing the problem of water shortage on account of global climate change.

This has necessitated rain water harvesting.

Even if it is difficult to harvest rain water in hill areas, rain water can be harvested and stocked abundantly for lean period in the valley area.

Pointing out that Sikkim has already achieved the status of an 'organic state', Dr Premjit said that all the remaining Northeastern States should work relentlessly to make each and every State of the region organic states.

It is also being experimented to examine whether Manipuri pony can be used in agricultural which are otherwise loitering idle except playing polo.

If the experiments prove successful, economic value of pony would rise substantially.

He suggested farmers of the State to cultivate paddy varieties which can be harvested within 100 days rather than other varieties which take a long to time mature.

Former MU VC Dr H Tombi, former YSPUHF Solan VC Dr KR Dhiman, CSKHPAU Palampur VC Dr KK Katoch, ICAR RC Umiam Director Dr SV Ngachan and ICAR Manipur Centre Joint Director Dr Narendra Prakash were also present at the seminar.