IMPHAL, Jan 22 - Central Agricultural University (CAU) in Manipur has developed a roadmap to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi�s vision to double farmers� income in North East particularly in the four hill States, CAU vice chancellor Prof M Premjit said.
�We have developed several research based strategies which include selection (as well as production) of quality seeds, mechanisation of farms and integrated farming system (IFS) besides encouraging family based farming for achieving the goal of doubling farmers� income,� said Prof Premjit who heads a committee for Roadmap development for Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. �We have submitted a report to Centre in this regard for its implementation�, he added.
Recommending beekeeping as one of key components of IFS, he said, �If we neglect bees, the pollinators, we cannot get the desired yield. So, beekeeping should be one of the components for cross-pollinated crops such as oil seeds.�
He also informed that IFS can help in reducing the jhum cultivation areas in the region. Manipur�s total jhum area is said to be around 1,22,147 ha in 2017, according to Manipur Remote Sensing Application Centre. About four lakh families practise jhum cultivation covering a land area of approximately 3,86,300 ha annually in the North- eastern region.
