Scientists urged to boost food production
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 11 2022: Union minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Sekhawat has urged scientists to bring out innovative and affordable technologies in farming sector so that farmers could easily adopt them and boost the food productivity of the country.

The minister inaugurated the 82nd annual conference of Indian Society of Agricultural Economics (ISAE) at the auditorium of College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Iroisemba on Friday.

Water resources minister Awangbow Newmai, ISAE Mumbai president Dr Dinesh Kumar Marothia, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat former vice-chancellor Dr KM Bujar Baruah, ICAR-NIAP former director Dr Suresh Pal, ISAE Mumbai secretary Dr CL Dadhichh, CAU Imphal director of instruction Dr S Basanta, College of Agriculture dean professor Indira Sarangthem, who is also the organising secretary of the conference, and CAU vice-chancellor Dr Anupam Mishra also attended the conference.

Addressing the gathering, minister Gajendra expressed happiness on getting the opportunity to meet the agricultural economists and scientists.

He mentioned about the Central government's initiative to protect and conserve wetlands, and said that these wetlands could be utilised for the benefit of farmers and help them in boosting their productivity.

Speaking about the initiatives and policies to increase income of farmers, the minister urged scientists to have the spirit of dedication for the farmers and develop new technologies, which are innovative and affordable.

Such technologies can help in bringing economic development and improve the living standard of farmers, he said.

Water resources minister Awangbow expressed hope that the recommendations of the conference will help in improving the farm sector and the living standard as well as socio-economic condition of the farmers.

Entrepreneurs, Start Ups and FPOs showcased plants found in wetlands and products derived from such plants at the event.

The minister also attended an interaction programme between farmers and experts.

Later, union minister Gajendra Singh Sekhawat along with Awangbow Newmai attended an interface programme on 'Climate change and wetlands based livelihood in North Eastern Region of India for achieving sustainable development goals at City Convention Centre, here.

Central Agricultural University, Imphal organised the event in association with Dhanamanjuri University and National Institute of Technology, Manipur.

Students of CAU, MU, DMU and NIT Manipur participated in the event.

Speaking on the occasion, the union minister reminded that there will be none to challenge the country when the students utilise their knowledge towards nation building and making India a developed nation.

He stressed the need for setting a goal for the 100th year of independence and work towards achieving that goal through proper planning of strategies.

There was a time when the northeast region of the country felt alienated.

However, those times have gone today and the northeast region is progressing towards development at a faster pace under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said.

Speaking about the Jal Jeevan Mission, which began from 2019 with the objective to provide tap water connection to every household by 2024, the minister informed that only 19 per cent of the total households of the state had access to household tap water connection before the mission was taken up.

Today, the coverage has reached 55 per cent and the government is hopeful of achieving the target of cent per cent coverage by the end of 2024 .

The country is moving forward and every citizen has a role to play in bringing positive changes in the society.

Youth should be the change maker to take the nation forward in the global race of development, he added.

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