World Food Day observed
Agriculture Director says future grim if agricultural productivity remains unchanged
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 16 2018:
Agriculture Director Ph Rajendra has called the officials of the Agriculture Department for sincere efforts during implementation of agricultural schemes and programmes to increase crops yield and make the State self reliant in food.
He was speaking as chief guest at the observation of World Food Day 2018, organized by State's Agriculture Department on the theme "Our Actions are our Future: A Zero Hunger World by 2030 is possible" at the Department's conference hall in Sanjenthong, Imphal.
Informing that the State has never achieved the target set by the State's Agriculture Department, regarding food grain production, every year owing to various reasons like drought and drought like situation, the Director expressed strong apprehension that the State will face a difficult situation in the future if the present agricultural productivity remains unchanged.
He asked all the officers of the Agriculture Department to work out plans and programmes to be taken up from time to time in their respective jurisdictions and work in tandem with the DC concerned as well as with the elected representatives concerned.
Claiming that Agricultural Technology Management Agency (AMTA) is located in all districts, Rajendra further appealed all the officials of Agriculture Department to introduce and promote System of Rice Intensification (SRI) to the farmers.
He stressed on the importance of registering the farmers at Kisan Call Centre to prevent misuse of various agricultural schemes.
Conveying that there are 11 ongoing agricultural schemes in the State, Rajendra appealed all the officials concerned to raise awareness about the schemes and the welfare programmes taken up for farmers from time to time.
Agriculture Department's Joint Director Y Shyam Singh reminded that World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world on October 16 in honour of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945.He went on to say that giving, awareness on health hazards caused by excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers and its preventive measures should also be another objective of observing the day.
On the other hand, Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India) Manipur Chapter also observed World Food Day 2018 at Food Processing Training Hall, Porompat of Department of Trade, Commerce and Industries today.
With "Greening the blue" as the theme, the event was attended by former Vice Chancellor of Manipur University Professor H Tombi, former Director of Trade, Commerce and Industries Yumnam Dhiraj and former Chief Food Technologist Ng Maimu as presidium members.
Highlighting the importance of observing World Food Day across the world, former VC Professor Tombi stressed on the need to produce and consume foods that are nutritious and healthy for the body.
He said that it is necessary to make varieties of healthy produces grown across different countries, available in the State so that people can consume it and take the health benefits.
Professor Tombi further stated that the stakeholders have to come together and take necessary steps to make the foods available to the deprived section of the people as well.
The varieties of produces and food items produced by farmers in association with the experts of Agriculture and Horticulture Departments should be researched and archived properly.