CAU, Nagaland Govt sign MoA on agritech
Source: Chronicle News Service / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, January 12 2022:
A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for transfer of technology on bio-fertilisers and bio-pesticide and development of industry incubation systems was signed between Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal and Soil and Water Conservation Department, Government of Nagaland on Wednesday at the office chamber of agriculture production commissioner Nagaland Y Kikheto Sema, in the presence of soil and water conservation commissioner and secretary K Libanthung Lotha; additional secretary (Agriculture) Nungsangwapang; soil and water conservation director K Zhekheto Awomi and Soil Health Management Nagaland nodal officer K Khekiho Shohe, who were also the signatories of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), a DIPR Nagaland report said.
The agriculture production commissioner, in his introductory remark, mentioned that in Nagaland 70 per cent of the population living in the rural areas depend on agriculture and allied activities out of this 73 per cent are engaged in jhum/shifting cultivation and 27 per are engaged in settled farming.
He also said that the traditional way of cultivation namely jhum is not found to be economically viable and ecologically sustainable.
"Therefore, the Government of Nagaland is looking towards sustainable livelihood of our farmers," he added.
The officer also stated that the Government of Nagaland is happy that the Union government has sanctioned 2 BFPU and 10 units under consideration in this financial year.
In this regard, the state government is in need of experts for efficient implementation.
According to the report, CAU Imphal director of research Dr S Basanta Singh in his address observed that the signing of MoA is a historic moment for both the parties as this was the first time an agreement was signed between the CAU Imphal and the Government of Nagaland.
CAU-CPGSAS, Umiam Prof Dwipendra Thakurii, who was also the technical expert, gave a brief presentation on the three technologies being transferred which are CAU Bioenhancer (A microbial consortium for Terrace and Valley Lands); CAU Jhum Bio-enhancer (A microbial consortium for mixed crops of Jhum Fields) and Um-Met (A Liquid bioformulation of a potential indigenous entomopathogens Metarhiziufh anisophae) .
Prof Thakuria also appreciated the state government for taking initiative for setting up of meteorological observatories in all the districts.
He also mentioned that the university has spent a huge amount for development of technologies but since the state government is a non-profit organisation, the varsity has agreed to share the technologies in a nominal amount of Rs 1 lakh per technology.
The DIPR report further conveyed that the university requested the state government for setting up of some kind of funding that can be provided to the university for creation of facilities such as bio pesticides or bio fertilisers production units for research and development programmes if there are any avenues since the MoA is going to benefit both the parties.
It was also agreed upon that the university and the Government of Nagaland will coordinate and cooperate even for other programmes in the future for the benefit of the farmers in the state.
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