Farmers advised to consult subject experts
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, March 04 2025: Under the theme 'Celebrating Successful Farmers', Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Lamphelpat, conducted a Farmers' meet cum Exhibition at Loktak Farmers' Training Hostel, Lamphelpat on Tuesday.

The exhibition was jointly organised by the staff of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region Manipur Centre & ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of Imphal West, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and Churachandpur districts.

Speaking on the occasion, Agriculture director Peter Salam explained that the main role of the department is to help the farmers to increase crop yield, while assuring that the Department is always ready to assist them in every possible way.

He then appealed to all the farmers to visit the department for any queries and also called for innovative ideas from the progressive farmers.

The director further advised all the officials working in this field to devote first half of every working day in the held as such initiative would help share their knowledge and inputs directly to the farmers, thereby helping in enhancing synergy between the experts and farmers.

Regional Centre, ICAR RC for NEH region ex-head Dr Ramgopal Laha, in his guest of honour speech, applauded the farmers for their hard works and dedication.

He recalled that recently, PM Narendra Modi felicitated several successful farmers, adding that Tuesday's programme is also about celebrating successful farmers.

Calling ICAR as the technology provider, he commended the state government for recognising ICAR's activities and opening five KVKs under its supervision.

Different modern equipment which are not available in the state are also being imported and shared with many farmers, he informed and called upon the farmers not to hesitate in seeking technical assistance of scientists of the KVKs for better and greater productivity.

In her speech, ICAR, Manipur Centre head Dr Ch Basudha Devi appealed to all the farmers to make Manipur a self-sufficient state in the coming years.

Greater awareness is also required in promoting energetic farmers for enhanced productivity, she added.

ICAR Regional Centre for North East Hill Region, Umiam principal scientist Dr S Bas-anta said that if agricultural practices in the hill areas of the state including jhum cultivation are declared natural farming practices, the income of the farmers could be tripled.

He went on to say that the traditional agricultural practice must be abandoned, adding that the focus should be on horticulture as the state has high potential in it.

He continued that over 60 per cent of the state's population is dependent on the agricultural sector.

'If the agriculture sector is developed, the state will develop," he said, while stressing need to commercialise the sector and bring in more innovative ideas in the state.

During the programme, 112 farmers from different districts were presented with various high-yielding seeds, poultries and farm feeds.

Success stories of 10 farmers from hill and valley areas were also shared on the occasion.

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