CM highlights progress in natural farming
Source: Chronicle News Service DIPR/ Keso-Debrani
Imphal, October 06 2022:
Chief Minister N Biren Singh attended a video conference chaired by Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah on Natural Farming and Digital Agriculture from the Cabinet Hall, Chief Minister's Secretariat, here, on Thursday.
During the conference, CM Biren highlighted the steps taken up by the state and the progress made regarding Natural Farming and Digital Agriculture.
He said that the state has already initiated process for digitization of Agriculture, while informing that preparation to start the Agriculture Census of 2021-22 has been completed and would be initiated at the earliest.
Door-to-door enquiry will be conducted using tablets/ smart phones to collect all relevant information of farmers by December this year, he added.
Regarding natural farming in the state, Biren said it has improved a lot from before.
Considering the ill-effects of chemical fertilizers, we are encouraging natural and organic farming, he said, adding that locations where cattle are utilised in farming have been identified in four districts so as to set up GOVAR-DHAN plants on pilot basis.
The CM also highlighted that earlier only around 5000 hectares of land was utilised for organic farming but it has been now increased to 37,000 hectares.
With the support and assistance from the Central Ministries, we will be able to encourage 100 percent natural and organic farming in the state, he expressed confidence.
Following brief speeches from the participating chief ministers and state agriculture minister, the video conference concluded with an address from the Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The video conference was also attended by Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar; Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Dr Mansukh Mandaviya; chief ministers and agriculture ministers of different states.
During the video conference, CM Biren was accompanied by Agriculture minister Thongam Biswajit Singh, Horticulture & Soil Conservation minister Letpao Haokip, CS Dr Rajesh Kumar, additional chief secretary P Vaiphei, commissioner M Joy Singh, officials of both Agriculture and Horticul ture and Soil Conservation departments.