CAU academic block inaugurated ; Union Minister advocates organic farming
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 14 2016: Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Mohanbhai Kalyanjibhai Kundariya today inaugurated the newly constructed academic block of College of Agriculture, Central Agriculture University (CAU) Iroisemba and held an interaction session with farmers from different parts of the State.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister of Manipur, Abdul Nasir was also present.

Lok Sabha MP Dr Thok-chom Meinya attended the function as the guest of honour and Vice-Chancellor of CAU Prof M Premjit Singh was the functional president.

As a part of the function, the dignitaries visited the Seed Processing Unit, Museum, Soil Testing Laboratory and Agriculture Expo set up by CAU, and also opened the Farmers' Interaction Programme for College of Agriculture.

The visiting Union Minister, Mohanbir Kalyanjibhai Kundariya applauded the works taken up by the university in bringing about a change in the agricultural scenario.

He added that new technology introduced by the university through new research and findings must be made accessible to farmers for better production of crops.

Further he emphasized on various Central sponsored schemes like soil health card, soil and water conservation schemes, etc.

He endorsed the idea of introducing organic farming practices in the State as it has significant importance in the long run.

By the end of Kharif season, farmer's insurance programme will be introduced and it will benefit farmers on a large scale, Kundariya said.

The introduction of soil health card for farmers will surely help farmers in exploring the potential farmlands suitable for different crops.

Not only it will help in better production of crops, but will also save a great deal of time and money for farmers.

"To succeed in farming activities, both the State Government and the Centre Government need to work hand in hand for enhancement of produces", he said.

He added that the Ministry will do whatever it takes for the benefit and welfare of farmers.

To succeed in giving farmers the best facilities both the State and the Centre Government need to work together.

Md Abdul Nasir stated that farmers of Manipur are ready to embark on the journey where the State has never set foot on.

He added that the State had earlier received recognition from the Centre Government for excellence in farming and it is the living proof that farmers are ready for new projects and schemes from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Dr Thokchom Meinya expressed that the understanding of soil health is quite new to farmers of Manipur.

The steps of the Ministry with inputs from the university will help in spreading awareness on soil health.

He added that management of soil must be endorsed by everyone.

On the other hand, Prof M Premjit stated that CAU has been relentlessly working to introduce new farming techniques along with high yielding varieties of seeds.

He said that six new colleges under CAU will be instituted in various parts of the North East.

Further he said that the present trend of irrigation system in the State is the main reason for poor agricultural yield every year.

Production could be enhanced if the irrigation system is improved.

Furthermore, he said farmers should give due importance to organic farming methods and technique.

"Not only it is healthy for consumption but also the net return is high," Prof Premjit added.

The technology and knowledge acquired from the university will be little value if the findings of various researchers are not transferred to farmers, he said.

As part of the function high yielding variety seeds, chicks and other pulses were distributed to farmers.

During a media interaction, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Mohanbhai Kalyanjibhai Kundariya stated that the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (Traditional Farming Improvement Programme) has been launched by Government of India to support and promote organic farming and thereby improving soil health.

This will encourage farmers to adopt eco- friendly concept of cultivation and reduce their dependence on fertilizers and chemicals to improve yields.

The programme gives adequate importance to the North Eastern States as the soils of these States are virgin and rarely affected by chemical fertilizers.

He further said that Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), a new crop insurance scheme, will be initially taken up as a pilot project.

He said that the Centre is targetting to distribute 100 crore Kishan Soil Health cards to farmers throughout the country within two years.

Under the new scheme, farmers will have to pay a uniform premium of two per cent for all kharif crops and 1.5 per cent for all rabi crops.

For annual commercial and horticultural crops, farmers will have to pay a premium of 5 per cent.

The remaining share of the premium, as in previous schemes, will continue to be borne equally by the Centre and the respective state Governments.

He urged the farmers of Manipur to send a proposal through the State Government for a new diary policy which could bring development in dairy farmers.

All Union Ministers are going to different regions of the country to meet farmers this month to seek their opinions on what kind of policy is needed for their welfare.

The suggestions received thus will be submitted to the PM so that a new agriculture policy may be formulated in the ensuing Union Budget, the Minister said.

He also said that on Jan 17 and 18 the Prime Minister will convene a meeting at Sikkim where all Agriculture Ministers from different States and Union Territories will take part and sort out the difficulties faced in their respective States.

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