IMPHAL, Feb 11 - North Eastern Region�s agricultural system is organic by default as there is very little use of pesticides, fungicides and chemical fertilisers.
It is with these potentialities that the Prime Minister has taken a number of initiatives for clean environment, traditional agricultural system, natural farming, vertical farming, soil and water conservation, secondary agriculture including medicinal and aromatic plant derived products, said Director of Indian Council of Agricultural Research for NE Hill region, Dr SV Ngachan.
Dr Ngachan was delivering a lecture on second Green Revolution in North East in the presence of former Manipur Chief Minister RK Dorendra, in connection with the 21st death anniversary of Saheed Shamurailatpam Madhumangal Sharma here on Thursday.
Dr Ngachan also said that meeting seed requirement, thrust in irrigation, integrated nutrient management for enhancing soil and crop productivity, promotion of horticulture and agro-forestry, post-harvest management and value addition, mechanisation, attracting youths in agriculture and agri-entrepreneurship development are some of the priorities for effecting Green Revolution in the NE.
Bestowed with six agro-climatic zones and eight per cent of the country�s total geographical area, NE has the scope for cultivating almost all types of crops even though it produces just 3.2 per cent of foodgrains production in the country, he added.
In his presidential address, former Vice Chancellor of Manipur University Prof H Tombi said Saheed Madhumangal�s dream for a Green Revolution and food security for a sustainable livelihood and Dr Ngachan�s deliberation on the subject is quite appropriate. Madhumangal, a BJP leader in Manipur, was assassinated on February 11, 1995.