Agricultural fair inaugurated at CAU
Technology most crucial for farmers: Governor
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 18 2011: A three-day Agri Fair-2011 of the Central Agricultural University (CAU), Iroishemba kicked off here today with the theme "Agricultural Technologies and Farm Innovations for Prosperity of the Northeastern Region" .

The fair is showcasing the achievements of CAU, which has campuses in other NE states, the State Agriculture Department, institutes of ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) and other agricultural related organisations.

The agri fair aims at to provide an opportunity to scientists to share their experiences and get scientific inputs to develop and improve agricultural technologies and also to get the feedback from farmers and to address their problems.

"It is a unique platform for the farmers of the region to discuss their problems with experts in different areas of agriculture and allied sciences," said Governor Gurbachan Jagat who believes that the fair will prove a potential forum for public-private participation.

It will address the problems of the farmers, he hoped.

Addressing as chief guest at the inauguration function of the fair at the CAU campus here, the Governor praised the great role played by CAU in the fields of crop improvement, crop production, natural production, natural resource management, crop protection, livestock and fish husbandry, post harvest technology and extension education.

Governor at the inaugural day of Agri Fair at CAU complex

The role of extension services, especially in technology is most crucial for the farmers to realize the gains from technological involvement.

From the scientists' point of view, it is important to see that technology reaches the end users in the right manner, he said.

The socio-economic well-being of the farmers must be the prime consideration, besides production and growth, said Gurbachan Jagat while stressing on the need for giving more emphasis on the economic well-being of the farmers, rather than just on the production.

He said that the aim of the agriculture researchers, extension workers and policy makers should be to stimulate actions which should result in asserting agricultural progress in terms of improvement in the income of farm families, not only to meet their consumption requirements but also to enhance their capacity to invest in farm related activities.

"This can be achieved only when we make the provision of quality seeds, irrigation, power, machinery and implements, fertilizers and credit at affordable rates in adequate quantities for farmers and to provide appropriate prices and trade policy mechanisms to enhance the farmers' income.

Pointing out that agriculture is being accorded top priority, the Central government had targeted a 4% growth in the agriculture sector, the Governor said the Mega Seed Project, National Horticulture Mission and National Innovation Projects are important initiatives which would help in the development of agricultural production in the region.

Regional disparity is an important issue that needs serious attention, he said adding that targeting rainfed and ecologically marginal areas for dissemination of improved technologies and development of markets would help in reducing regional disparities.

The inaugural function was presided over by CAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr SN Puri, and attended by among others, MPs Dr T Meinya and Rishang Keishing, Agriculture Minister Ph Parijat, First Lady, Kiran Jagat and Director, ICAR RC for NEH Region Dr SV Ngachan.

The essence of the fair is timely and appropriate actions in the quest of enhanced growth in the hill regions not only for enhancement of productivity, but also for improvement in sustainability, stability and equity, that will elevate the quantity and value addition to make agriculture more remunerative and to improve the quality of life of the farmers.

The blame for the underdevelopment of Manipur squarely lies with the public of the state, said Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing adding that the Central government has been sympathetically extending financial assistance for the development of the state which must be sensibly utilized.

The legislator further said that if the land is mis-utilized, it will only spell a doom for agriculture in the long run.

"The hills should be encouraged to cultivate horticultural plants while discouraging the blatant abuse of land through the traditional jhumming cultivation" .

Highlighting that the biggest bottleneck in the state for its development is the abject shortage of power, Rishang said that the state must maximize its potential for hydro power generation.

Lok Sabha MP Dr Th Meinya said that in today's age and time, nothing could be achieved without recourse to technology.

"Central funds ought to be utilized judiciously by the state and the government should examine the present food security bill in the parliament at the earliest possible time" .