IMPHAL, Sept 9 - A brainstorming session on �Natural Resource Management and Rural Bio-entrepreneurship in North East� was held in Imphal on Thursday to discuss the issues of post-harvest processing and marketing, technologies for climate resilient agriculture besides water conservation initiatives.
The day-long open discussions were organised by Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), a National Institute of Department of Biotechnology.
In his presentation, Dr Anil Kumar Singh, Secretary of National Academy of Agriculture Science highlighted the need to control shifting culvation, agro-forestry, etc., to address the issues relating to natural resource management and rural bio-entrepreneurship in North East.
Fellow of Indian Society of Soil Science Dr Anil Kumar suggested steps to conserve water in the North East for better management of the natural resources besides recommending cultivation of climate resilient crops. He also suggested to focus on water harvesting initiatives in the region.
Dr UK Behera, Dean, Central Agricultural University, spoke on doubling of farmers income by taking up integrated farming systems in the North East.
In his note, Director IBSD Prof Dinabandhu Sahoo expressed the urgent need to reverse urban migration through such interventions aimed at promoting rural bio-entrepreneurship by developing bio-based industries in rural areas that would not only double farmers� income but also generate jobs and livelihoods for the unemployed youth.
An action plan document is being developed under the chairmanship of Dr AK Singh, Secretary, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), said Sahoo.
Earlier, Assembly Speaker Y Khemchand Singh while inaugurating the function at Imphal Campus of IBSD, lauded the initiative and promised support for bringing together all stakeholders for convergence of actions and implementation.
