AR's initiative for peace through development lingers
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, December 03 2012:
Once again the Assam Rifles has pooled significant resources from the state, including that of acclaimed agricultural scientists, to improved agricultural productivity in Churachandpur's Singngat sub-division.
With the banned Poppy cultivation rampant in the region, the Assam Rifles has since last year taken many stake holders to the sub-divisional headquarters in an attempt to give the people an alternative, other than Poppy through a seminar under the theme 'peace and development' .
It was the first of its kind where the Army, AR and the civil administration was on one platform with a mission to enhance the region's economy.
The seminar organized by 36 AR of 27 Sector under the aegis of IGAR (S) today was a big leap from the initiative it had taken last year in terms of the attending officials and its participants as well.
Addressing the gathering, Commander 27 Sector Brigadier VS Ranade has repeated the appeal he made last year for accepting 'Agriculture' instead of 'Gun-culture' .
He slammed the practice of poppy cultivation and told the farmers that fruits of those trees will not give them anything good.
'You owe your land, and the land owes back to you,' he told the farmers.
On the AR's seldom-heard initiative of taking development to the region, Brig Ranade asserted that this is one district where they showcase that in fact the Army can deliver development.
'Yes we can do it.
We will go forward from here,' he said.
Also addressing the seminar Dean of the Central Agriculture University Prof N Iboton Singh said they have the technical know-how but would go in vain without the farmers' participation.
A vocal campaigner Professor Iboton had last year offered all forms of assistance to farmer of the region if they ever contacted him, but was visibly annoyed that none had did so.
Offering his service and that of the university further this time, he declared to visit the farmers instead if they ever seek help.
Besides, he offered to give CAU's famous poultry birds to 10 farmers from the region so as to demonstrate its productivity to the local people.
Likewise he will be giving a very good breed of Pig developed by CAU to others.
The Professor has also suggested 'Mandarins' as a replacement for Poopy.
Dr Khaizalian, IFS Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Biodiversity and Dr Narendra Prakash, Joint Director Indian Council of Agricultural Research have also addressed the gathering.
Dr Khaizalian on his part has suggested that the district administration may utilize his department's service in implementing the forestry component of MGNREGA due to frequent financial crunches on their part.
Director Institute of co-operative management and his team, other top officials from the department of Sericulture, Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Veterinary, Fisheries, and the SDO Singngat Rachel Guite have also graced the seminar.
Free seeds and sampling were distributed free of cost to the farmers by the attending departments through their stalls set-up at the 36 AR headquarters in Singngat.
In fact about eight farmers from Khenman area in the neighbouring Mynmar have also turn-up to reap the benefits of the seminar.
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