MU VC espouses organic farming
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 12 2016:
Manipur University Vice Chancellor, Prof Adya Prasad Pandey has expressed that it was time for the North East States including Manipur to start producing healthy and chemical free organic produces and bring about an organic agricultural revolution in the country.
Speaking as the chief guest at the closing day of the Regional Agri Fair 2016-17 held at Central Agricultural University, Iroishemba, with Central Agricultural University VC Prof Moirangthem Premjit who attended the function as president, Prof Adya Prasad Pandey said, "Farmers can improve their living conditions by depending on agriculture not just as a means of livelihood but as a way to get profit.
Development in the field of agriculture will also bring about growth in the economy of the State" .
He said that scientists should work tirelessly towards producing new and improved high yielding crops in order to improve the condition of the farmers, and promote organic farming in place of using chemicals and fertilizers which pose health hazards.
Adya said," Improvement in agriculture will also help in giving employment to the people" .
According to him, women are engaged in agriculture far more than men and as such their contribution cannot be ignored.
Speaking about the event, Prof M Premjit said,"The main aim of the fair is to bring farmers together and provide them with new and innovative ideas and information on how to improve their crops, produces and yields" .
"Farmers get to know methods for improving their farming techniques and are educated on the different kinds of pests and crop diseases and how scientists are working for combating the said problems and what can be done by the farmers themselves", he said.
Premjit said that farmers were taught various modern farming techniques and given high yielding crops.
They were also familiarised with the concept of organic farming and integrated farming so as to reduce the use of chemicals, he added.
Many farmers and officials from all the North East Sates except Assam participated in the fair.
On the closing day, Dr SS Nagra (Dean, College of Instruction, CAU), Dr CA Shrinivasamurthy (Director of Research, CAU), Dr JM Laishram (Dean, College of Agriculture, Imphal), Dr AK Pandey (Dean, Hort & Forestry, CAU Imphal), Dr L Hmar (Dean, College of Vety Sc & AH, Aizwal), Dr RP Mishra (Dean, College of Agri Engg & PHT, Ranipoo), Dr Pramod Kr Pandey (Dean, College of Fisheries, Lembucherra), Dr NB Singh (Dean, College of PG Studies, Barapani), Dr P Das (Dean, College of Home Science, Tura) and Dr Capt Dhanan Jaya Rao (Dean, College of Vety Sc & AH, Jalukie) took part as guests of honor and prizes and gifts were distributed to the farmers and stall owners who excelled in the fair.