DIBRUGARH, Nov 18 - A new innovative programme �Facilitating Agricultural Regeneration Measure� (FARM), Phase II was launched today in Rajabari under Titabor development block in Jorhat under the initiative of Seva Kendra Dibrugarh (SKD), a non profit organisation of Upper Assam.
The first phase of FARM (North East) was successfully implemented in nine villages on the lines of natural resource management and organic agriculture during 2013-2016. The FARM North East II will now be implemented by SKD for a period of three years in fifteen villages within Titabor block. FARM (North East) programme is designed to facilitate promotion of organic agriculture, socio economic development and promotion of indigenous medicinal practices using plant resources, a release stated.
The programme is financed by Misereor Germany and supported by the North East Zone of Caritas India, a national NGO of repute. The programme was attended by a host of farmers from 15 project areas and officials from the Department of Agriculture, representatives from Caritas India, Director, SKD and the Coordinator of FARM North East II. Alaknanda Kakati, Agriculture Development Officer, Titabor was the chief guest for the occasion.
Elias Lugun, Director, SKD gave a detail account of their interventions in the area for the upliftment of the economically backward communities. Vincent Xalxo, the Project Coordinator of the FARM North East spoke about the core objective of the programme. Jonas Lakra, Zonal Manager, Caritas India, spoke about the organisation and its mandate to work for the poorest of the poor in the region.
Prabal Sen, State Officer, Caritas India, stressed upon the need for organic cultivation and promotion of indigenous medicinal practice. He emphasised on how organic food could be a good source for better income and good health as well. He spoke on the need from conserving the age old indigenous medicinal practices that are fast dwindling. Fr Lazar Kakassery, Vice President of SKD also spoke during the launch of the programme.
The chief guest Alaknanda Kakati appreciated the efforts of SKD and Caritas India towards promoting organic agriculture. He expressed his happiness over knowing the fact the SKD along with Caritas India was doing an excellent job in the area for betterment of the farmers. He also stressed on the fact that organic agriculture is of a great importance in today�s world and urged the farmers to take up organic agriculture while assuring his support.
The programme also included the plantation of 120 saplings in community campuses like naam ghar, adivasi than and churches in the area. The idea behind such plantation drive was to initiate a step for combating climate change. The idea basically was to promote maximum number of tree plantations in the next three years of the project period in order to enhance the green cover to combat climate change, the release added.
