AR's Agro-fest to offer alternative to poppy
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 24 2011:
With the objective of providing alternative crops to the locals and to wean them away from poppy cultivation, 35 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector under Hqs IGAR (South) conducted 'Agro-Fest' seminar cum workshop for the villagers of Sajik Tampak yesterday.
The event was a joint venture of the AR Unit and civil administration.
The function was inaugurated by Deleep Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Chandel, in the presence of Brig Upendra Dwivedi, Commander 26 Sector Assam Rifles and Radhashyam, Superintendent of Police, Chandel.
M Dhaneshwar Singh, HoD, Animal Science Dept, Central Agricultural University, Dr GP Kabui, Programme Coordinator, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Jugeshwar Singh, District Agriculture Officer and K Jogesh Chandra Sharma, Horticulture Development Officer were present at the programme.
Seeds of lady's-finger, cabbage, beans etc were distributed to the villagers besides providing varieties of chemicals and organic fertilizers.
The villagers expressed gratitude to the Agriculture and Horticulture officials and Assam Rifles for taking up initiative developmental activities in the area and bringing the people of valley into the mainstream.
Around 650 local people were present at the seminar which included farmers from Chandel and Joupi as well.
A medical camp, CSD and refreshment facilities were also made available to the villagers attending the fest, said a press release issued by PRO Hqs IGAR (S) .