Newmai News Network Shillong | July 28 Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh has said that research should be focused on “income centric plans,” adding that marketing and value addition should be focused and the technology developed should reach the farmers field. Singh made this comment during his visit to ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam in Meghalaya where he interacted with the farmers from Ri-Bhoi district and scientists of the institute. “Efforts should be made to encourage farmers of the region to engage in organic farming,” he said. The Union Minister also urged all the Scientists to be “change agents” and take their research to the farmers’ fields which in turn, would help in increasing their income. He gave a clarion call to the scientists and asked them to be in touch with farmers from adopted villages like their own family members. He stressed upon diversification of agriculture with allied activities viz., horticulture, dairying, bee keeping, mushroom cultivation etc. Further, Singh suggested that doubling of farmers’ income can be achieved through reduction in input cost, value addition and proper marketing of agricultural produce. Integrated farming system models having B: C (benefit cost ratio) more than 2, should be demonstrated and popularized amongst farmers, he added. The minister further emphasized upon popularization of micro-irrigation for efficient use of water.
