Revival of Seed Certification Cell on the cards
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 11 2018: In view of the ensuing main kharif season, 100 tons of High Yielding Varieties Seeds (HYV) would be produced for farmers of the State by reviving Seed Certification Cell.

This was assured by Agriculture Director Ph Rajendra during a press meet held at his office chamber at Sanjenthong today.

Rajendra said that the ambitious initiative is to be taken up under the aegis of Chief Minister N Biren and Agriculture Minister V Hangkhanlian for the sake of farmers of the State.

He admitted that the Department was unable to produce certified seeds for a long time due to the non-functional of Seed Certification Cell.

He elaborated that high yielding seeds mainly 'Tamphaphou' would be procured from the farmers and the same would be distributed to farmers' clubs and interested farmers before the main kharif season.

Such high yielding seeds were given 'certified seed tags' after undergoing breeding at ICAR Lamphelpat.

These seeds are to be sown mainly in Bishnupur, Imphal East, Imphal West and Thoubal districts, he said.

Rajendra disclosed that a separate fund for market stabilisation with regard to procurement of high yielding seeds and its distribution has been earmarked under the instruction of the Chief Secretary who is also the Chairman of State Level Sanctioning Committee, RKVY.

He also said that the Department is focusing on the pre-kharif and main kharif to mitigate the estimated 20 percent reduction in the total agricultural production of the State in last year due to frequent occurrence of flood.

Informing that only 4.02 lakh metric tons of paddy were produced out of the targeted 6.45 lakh metric tons in last year, he expressed hope that the reduction can be alleviated given ideal farming weather.

He emphasised on the need to promote cluster farming for sufficient production of agricultural products in the State.

Referring to the mass marketing of Chakhao, the Agriculture Director said that the Department inked three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with private firms during the recent North East Development Summit for mass marketing of Chakhao.

He informed that a regional workshop for State Agricultural Management & Extension Training Institute will be held in Imphal on February 2 and 3 .

The Department is also planning to organise State Agriculture Fair at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen from February 26 to March 1, Rajendra added.

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