Governor emphasises knowledge empowerment, capital investment
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 01 2018:
Knowledge empowerment has become more and more important along with capital investment.
The conventional mode of transfer of technology through personal contact by extension agencies is no longer the predominant mode of extension, stated Governor Dr Najma Heptulla while addressing the closing function of State Agriculture Fair, 2018 held today at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound.
The four-day agriculture fair organised by State Agricultural Management & Extension Training Institute (SAMETI), Department of Agriculture was held on the theme "Soil Health for Sustainable Agriculture".
Speaking as chief guest, Governor Najma Heptulla asserted that farmers need to connect with agri-business, production systems, research institutions and public administration both in domestic and global market levels and other numerous partners.
She stated that there is more diverse need of information not only for production procedures, but also for quality certification and reporting, grading, packaging, storage, transportation and other requirements for both domestic and export market.
She stated that the agriculture fair provided an excellent opportunity for agriculture and allied activities, organisations and farmers to showcase their products and services on agricultural development of the State, marketing facilities and to launch new products.
The fair also served as a forum to the scientists, agriculture officers, extension officers and farmers to share their experiences among themselves and get scientific inputs to develop and improve agricultural technologies and also to get the feedback from farmers and address their problems, she added.
The Governor maintained that the agriculture fair proved to be a significant step in the quest of not only enhanced growth and productivity but also for improvement in sustainability, stability, equity that will elevate the quality and value addition for marketing agriculture more remunerative and improve the quality of life of the farmers.
Everybody will agree that the Department of Agriculture has a major responsibility in the fields of crop improvement, crop production, natural resource management, crop protection and post harvest technology, she stated.
From the scientists' point of view, it is very important to see that technology reaches the end users in the right manner.
The Agriculture Department should facilitate and initiate measures for effective implementation of such services, she continued.
Najma exuded confidence that the participants comprising of State Agriculture and Allied Departments including Horticulture, Fisheries, Sericulture, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, farmers, farm machinery dealers, farmers' clubs will remain committed to the cause of the farmers.
She also noted that the aim of the agriculture researchers, extension workers and policy makers should be to stimulate attitudes and actions which would result in asserting agricultural progress in terms of improvement in the income of farm families, not only to meet their consumption requirements but also to enhance their capacity to invest in far related activities.
This can be achieved only when we make the provision of quality seeds, irrigation, power, machinery and fertilizers at affordable rates in adequate quantities for farmers and provide trade policy mechanism to enhance farmers' income, she added.
Deputy Chairman, State Planning Board, S Rajen Singh; Additional Chief Secretary (Agri) Dr Suhel Akhtar and Director (Agriculture) Ph Rajendra were also present at the function wherein Best Farmers, Best Exhibitors, Best Stall Awards and Certificate of Participation were distributed.
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