Awareness programme held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 26 2014:
One day awareness programme on "Climate Change in Agriculture" was organised today ICAR Manipur Centre at its office in Lamphelpat with Md Abdul Nasir, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, manipur as the Chief guest; Prof H Nandakumar Sarma, Vice-Chancellor, Manipur University as the Guest of honour and Dr N Prakash, Joint Director, ICAR Manipur Centre as the President.
M Gojendro Singh, Director, Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Department of Agriculture, Manipur and G Kipgen, Additional Director, Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation also attended the awareness programme as the special guests.
Prof Nandakumar stated that the rise of temperature due to climatic change might not affect agriculture in Northern India as much as it does in Manipur where agriculture is wholly dependent on monsoon as farmers in Northern India used irrigation for agricultural purposes.
He added that scientists of ICAR and other research organisations are making effort to address the climatic challenges and introduce technologies suitable with the changes.
Speaking at the programme, N Prakash asserted that India has 18 percent of rainfall deficit until August whereas in Manipur Imphal Valley has only 0.25 percent deficit while Tamenglong District has 23 percent deficit; 22 percent deficit in Ukhrul District; 31 percent deficit in Chandel District.
He added that 526 Districts of India had been instructed to prepare contingency plan including 5 KVKs under ICAR Manipur Centre to mitigate challenges of climate change in agriculture.
He further advised the farmers for crop diversification like growing pulses and oilseed and RC Maniphou-12.He stated that lentil cultivation was introduced in Thoubal District during the last rabi season and added that integrated farming system is another viable alternative in hill districts.