V&AH Minister stresses on cooperation of various line Departments for self-sufficient production
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, February 05 2019: The valedictory programme of the first ever National seminar on "Strengthening of seed system in the North eastern and unreached regions - Problems, Prospects and Policies" was held at RIMS, Jubilee Hall, Imphal today.

Agriculture, V&AH Minister V Hangkhanlian, while speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, underlined the importance of coordination of various line departments to achieve self-sufficiency in food grain production.

The food grain production of Manipur is 493.37 thousand tones whereas the requirement is 608.50 thousand tones having a shortfall of 115.15 thousand tones for the State, the Minister informed.

Conveying that the cropping intensity of the State is 151.9%, Hangkhanlian added that assured irrigation, selective mechanization, gracious use of plants nutrients, relay cropping should be implemented to meet the increasing demands of the people.

A set of concrete recommendations suitable for the Northeastern regions will be adopted from this three days seminar, he maintained.

Mentioning various programmes formulated and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare under the leadership of the PM Narendra Modi, he also highlighted other programmes including Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC), Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKYV), Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), Small Farmers Agri Business Consortium (SFAC) etc.

As per the guidelines of Prime Minister to double farmers income by 2022, appropriate schemes are being implemented while strategies for Manipur were prepared by experts from different stakeholders including ICAR, CAU and State Departments, he asserted.

During the occasion, many resource persons also presented valuable inputs and suggestions for improvement of seeds and agricultural products in the region.

Ch Amir Singh, Memorial Lifetimes Achievement Award, Scientist of Eminence, Young Scientist Award for 2017, & 2018, ISST Fellows, ISST Best Research Paper for the Year 2017 and others awards were handed over to the awardees by the chief guest.

The function was attended by many eminent Scientists, Professors, stakeholders, officers of departments concerned, research scholars, Directors, Head of the Departments, staff and students, delegates from different parts of India among others.

The valedictory programme was organized by Indian Society of Seed Technology, New Delhi in collaboration with ICAR Research Complex for NEH, Region, Manipur Centre, Imphal Central Agricultural University, Imphal & Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Government of India.

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