SHILLONG, June 14 - Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today announced that a Central Agriculture University would be established at Umiam in Ri-Bhoi district. Interacting with journalists through a video conference, Singh said the university, which would be set up soon, would boost the agriculture sector in the State.
Currently, there is a college for post-graduate studies at Umiam, a constituent of the Central Agriculture University, Imphal, which was established in 2007.
Singh said the college of post-graduate studies at Umiam has been assisting the farming sector in Meghalaya through the studies conducted in the campus. The college offers a number of advanced courses and research in agriculture, such as genetic and plant seeding, soil science, entomology, pathology and others.
�I am sure that the future of the farming sector in Meghalaya is bright,� he stated.
Singh also lauded the farming sector in the State and said there has been considerable progress in areas such as horticulture and organic farming in Meghalaya. �We are happy to note that farmers in Meghalaya are not only concentrating on producing traditional food grains, like rice and wheat, but are concentrating on producing fruits and vegetables,� he said.
Pointing out that the Centre has been encouraging States to go for organic farming, he added the effort is showing dividends. Singh added that the Centre is paying special attention to the NE so that maximum areas in the region comes under organic farming. Additional fund is being provided to the NE States, he added.
