1
Book entitled ‘Package and Practices of Organic Production of Important crops in NEH’ was released at the 24th Regional Committee Meeting for Zone- III on November 23 in Assam. (Photo Courtesy: ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region)
Dimapur, November 23 (MExN): The two-day 24th Regional Committee Meeting for Zone- III commenced on November 23 at Assam Administrative Staff College, Assam.
Kailash Choudhury, Union Minister of Agricultural and Farmers Welfare graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and Atul Bora, Minister of Agricultural Horticulture and Food Processing as the Guest of Honor.
As per a press release from ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, the Regional Committee comprised of the eight North East states – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
The purpose of the Regional Committee is to provide a forum to researchers and the state government functionaries to examine the major gaps in the current research and training efforts in farming sector; identify priorities and decide agenda of research and extension education for the coming two years.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has set up eight Regional Committees on the basis of agro-climatic regions.
The regional committee meeting was organized to bridge the gap and enhance agricultural productivity through development of cutting edge technology, efficient technology dissemination, entrepreneurship and human resource development.
Addressing the gathering, Choudhury said that research should be focused to fully prepare the farmers with needed technologies for organic agriculture. He added that Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has set the target for doubling farmers’ income by 2022 and that the farming sector will have to play an important role in building the $5 trillion economy by 2024.
Bora highlighted on the ‘Act East Policy’ and stressed that the focus should be on agricultural development of the region and maximum utilization of the resources available. He appreciated the works and efforts made by KVKs of Assam.
Dr T Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR also maintained that research should not only be production oriented, but post harvest management processing and marketing should be an integral part of the research activity. He urged the participants to emphasize on the strengths in agricultural sector and to utilize the resources of the region for maximum benefits.
Other dignitaries present for the occasion were Dr RC Agrawal, DDG Education, ICAR and Nodal Officer RCM; B Pradhan, Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor DARE ICAR and Dr BK Kandpal, Director, ICAR, Umiam.
A series of publications were also released in the presence of the dignitaries. 150 delegates from the region, including Principal Secretaries/Secretaries of the concerned states participated with the vision to make agricultural research reach the farmers and to ensure food, nutrition and livelihood security in the North Eastern hill region. The two-day meeting will witness a series of presentations and agenda settings by the state governments, which will conclude on November 24.
