Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Call for profuse organic farming in NE

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Nov 23 - Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary today emphasised developing organic farming in the region by eliminating use of harmful fertilisers and pesticides which have alarmingly increased health hazards in the country.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the 24th Regional Committee Meeting for Zone III of ICAR � which comprises the eight NE states � that commenced today at the Assam Administrative Staff College here.

Chaudhary further said that research should be focused on fully preparing the farmers with technologies needed for organic agriculture.

�Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the target for doubling farmers� income by 2022 and the farming sector will have to play a very important role in building the $5 trillion economy by 2024. For this, the scientists have to go by a roadmap and come up with innovative technologies which benefit the farmers,� Chaudhary said.

State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora said the government has focused on the �Act East Policy� and laid stress on the fact that emphasis should be given on agricultural development of the region and maximum utilisation of the resources available.

ICAR DG Dr T Mohapatra said research should not only be production-oriented, post-harvest management processing and marketing should also be an integral part of the research activity. He urged the participants to also emphasise the strengths in agricultural sector and to utilise the resources of the region for maximum benefits.

The purpose of the regional committee meeting is to provide a forum to researchers and the State government functionaries to examine the major gaps in the current research and training efforts in the farming sector, identify priorities and decide agenda of research and extension education for the coming two years.

A series of publications were also released in the presence of the dignitaries. Around 150 delegates from the region, including the principal secretaries and secretaries of the states concerned are participating in the meeting with the vision to make agricultural research reach the farmers and to ensure food, nutrition and livelihood security in the north-eastern region.

Next Story