ICAR Nagaland centre discusses action plans
Dimapur, April 28 (MExN): What actions plans are needed to boost farmer’s earning and double their income by 2022? This was the primary focus of the State level Coordination Committee meeting organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre on April 26.
It was organized with an objective to develop concrete action plans for doubling farmers’ income by 2022, informed an ICAR press note.
With inputs from different resource persons, the meeting examined various modalities to achieve the objective, it said.
Chairing the meeting, Prof. M. Premjit Singh, Vice Chancellor, Central Agricultural University Imphal said that, “Doubling farmer’s income would not be possible without improving the allied sectors of agriculture like livestock, poultry and fisheries.”
He also emphasised on improvement of road, electricity and agriculture related infrastructure like market infrastructure, irrigation, cold storage, warehouses, processing units etc.
Among other steps, to increase farm’s earning, he stressed on on scientific farming; diversification and intensification of rice fallows with pulses, oilseed, vegetables etc; promotion of location specific integrated farming system and organic farming, protected cultivation, speciality farming; improving the jhum land with agroforestry, high value spices and horticultural crops; post-harvest processing and management;improving the availability of critical inputs like seeds, planting materials, piglets, chicks, fish seed,credits; development and adoption of rainwater harvesting and conservation for lean period.
Dr. S V Ngachan, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH region, Umiam, Meghalaya also discussed the ways and means to reach the objective of doubling farmers’ income.
The convenor of the meeting also the promotion of seed production of major crops in a participatory ways and opening of more accredited nurseries unit for production and supply of quality planting materials.
“Horticulture, floriculture, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants should be promoted in Cluster based to ease in value addition and marketing” he added.
Ngachan further batted for mechanization of agriculture from production to value addition with location specific implements and also stressed on custom hiring centre.
Mobilizing farmers into groups like SHGs, cooperative societies for better backward and forward linkages of the farmers will also augment their income, he maintained.
Dr. Bidyut C Deka, Director, ATARI Zone III,Umiam; Dr.AbhijitMitra,Director, ICAR- NRC on Mithun; Dr. D J Rajkhowa, Joint Director, ICAR Nagaland centre; Dr.Lallan Ram, Director CIH; Professor R C Gupta, Dean. NU-SASRD; Helie Rupreo, Director, Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Nagaland; Dr. Moa Walling, Deputy Director, Department of Horticulture; Dr. K D Seema, Joint Director, Department of Vety. & AH; Scientists of ICAR Nagaland centre; and representatives of KVK Dimapur, Phek, Peren, Tuensang, Kohima, Longleng, Zunheboto and Wokha attended the meeting and provided valuable inputs to achieve the objective of doubling the farmers’ income by 2022.
