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Minister asks agro scientists to be catalysts of change

By STAFF Correspondent

SHILLONG, July 28 - Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers� Welfare Radha Mohan Singh today appealed to the agriculture scientists of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to act as a catalyst in bringing about economic development of the farmers of the region.

Singh visited the ICAR Complex at Umiam and interacted with farmers and artisans. He also took stock of the activities and initiatives undertaken by the scientists of the institute.

Singh said, the activities and initiatives of ICAR and the farmers of the region should be documented and showcased so that these become role model for the entire country.

The Minister said that Centre is committed to double the income of farmers by 2022 and therefore asked the officials engaged in the agriculture sector to assist and advise farmers on ways to improve farming techniques and raise their income.

He said that farm produce has to be increased and the input cost must be reduced. The Minister advised the farmers and the institute not to be confined to cultivation of traditional crops, but also invest in allied sectors like horticulture, fisheries and bee keeping. �This will enable the farmers to increase their income,� the Minister added.

On the works done by the ICAR over the years, Singh said, the institute has been able to increase the income of the farmers with introduction of high yielding variety of seeds and farming techniques.

The Minister also reviewed the implementation of Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan in Ri Bhoi district which is among the 112 districts where the Centre has launched the programme.

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