ICAR unit's 41st foundation day, farmers fair held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 13 2016:
Union
Minister of State, Ministry of
Agriculture & Farmers' Wel-
fare, Mohanbir Kalyanjibhai
Kundariya attended the ICAR
Research Complex for NEH
Region, Manipur Centre's 41st
Foundation Day celebration
cum Farmers' Fair here today.
Vice Chancellor, CAU
Prof M Premjit attended the
function as president and Di-
rector of Department of Agri-
culture Louis Ngasainao and
Joint Director ICAR Manipur
Centre Dr N Prakash were
the guests of honour of the
programme that was held at
the ICAR complex located at
Lamphelpat.
Various stalls from differ-
ent Krishi Vigyan Kendras
were inspected by the visiting
Union Minister.
Speaking at the occasion,
Mohanbir Kalyanjibhai Kun-
dariya emphasized on various
Central sponsored schemes
like soil health card, Prime
Ministers Irrigation scheme,
soil and water conservation
schemes etc.
He endorsed the idea of
introducing organic farming
practices in the State as it has
significant importance in the
long run.
He further said that
by the end of Kharif season,
farmer's insurance progra-
mme will be introduced.
"To succeed in farming
activities, both the State Gov-
ernment and the Centre Gov-
ernment need to work hand-
in-hand for better produc-
tion", he said.
He also appre-
ciated the works which ICAR
Research Complex, have been
contributing in agriculture
specially development of high
yielding varieties of rice, to-
mato, brinjal as well as inte-
grated farming and soil water
conservation research.
He added that the Central
Government is planning to
prepare agricultural budget
based on the need of the
farmers in different States.
Prof M Premjit stated that
the present trend of irrigation
system in the State is the main
reason for poor agricultural
yield every year.
Production
could be enhanced if the irri-
gation system is improved.
He mentioned that
1,70,000 hectares of cultiva-
ble land remain fallow after
harvest of paddy.
The State
Agriculture Department, Cen-
tral Agricultural University
and ICAR should collaborate
to find suitable solutions to
this problem.
He further said that agri-
cultural yield can be improved
through farm mechanization.
Furthermore, he said that
the State needs to focus on
blue revolution (aquaculture).
Integrated farming methods
must be encouraged among
stake holders to make up the
deficit faced by the State.
Louis Ngasainao said that
the present annual production
of rice in the State is satisfac-
tory but production of pulses
and oilseeds is negligible.
All
stake holders including
ICAR, Department of Agri-
culture should work out ways
to enhance the produces for
the benefit of the farmers.
Joint Director, ICAR Ma-
nipur Centre Dr N.Prakash
highlighted the contributions
of ICAR in development of
varieties of crops, participa-
tory seed production, inte-
grated farming system mod-
els, which have significantly
enhanced socio economic conditions.
Under the Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav
(My Village, My Pride) scheme, the Centre adopted five model
villages each in Chandel, Churachandpur, Imphal West,
Tamenglong and Ukhrul districts.
Over 1250 soil health cards have
been distributed to farmers till December 5 last year.
The visiting
Union Minister also distributed seeds and other critical inputs to
the farmers.
About 250 farmers from all over five districts participated
in the programme.