Vice President, Venkaiah Naidu visited a live mithun show and offered fodder to the animals at the ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun on October 7. (Photo Courtesy: ICAR)
Conducts series of 3 days worth of social engagements packed into one
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 7 (MExN): The Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu touched down in Nagaland on October 7 as part of his tour of the northeast states. His original travel itinerary, which included visiting Kohima, was however cut short and confined to tightly packed series of closed-door and social engagements in Dimapur.
After landing at the airport, Naidu headed straight to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Jharnapani where he visited the ICAR-National Research Center on Mithun and ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region. He also interacted with ICAR scientists and researchers, led by Director Dr MH Khan.
As per a PIB release, Naidu emphasised the need for innovative research to protect and conserve the rich bio-resources and livestock of the NE Region and also developing farmer-friendly systems. According to him, “Seamless transfer of knowledge from ‘Lab to land’ should be our constant endeavour” as technical knowhow generated in a laboratory has no meaning unless it reaches the farmers.
“Our scientific institutions should work for development of location specific technologies which are sustainable, climate resilient and culturally in sync with the tribal cultures of the region,” he said.
In this direction, he urged the ICAR scientists to work towards modernising agriculture by adopting the latest technologies.
At the Mithun Research Centre, he was shown the semi-intensive Mithun farming system and also visited the Central Instrumentation Facility, where he noted the ICAR’s “excellent work in protection and preservation of the majestic animal.” While the Centre had successfully sequenced the Nagaland state animal’s genome, he added, “Equally praiseworthy are your efforts in providing healthcare services to Mithun farms in the area and development of a Mithun mitra mobile app for the farmers.
Stating that the state animal holds immense significance economically, socially and emotionally for the people of Nagaland, the Vice President suggested that educated youth should be attracted towards the conservation of the animal.
Commending the Centre’s achievements, which includes development of 56 crop varieties and promoting integrated farming systems comprising crop, livestock, poultry, fishery, and horticulture, he said, “I am pleased to know that 50 percent of the poultry breeds reared in the state are of Vanaraja and Srinidhi, which are produced from this centre and cater to the needs of farmers in every nook and corner.”
Dairying is another important activity, which accounts for one-third of rural household income in India. On this, he expressed satisfaction that the Centre is investing to improve animal health coverage and livestock production systems.
Terming climate change as a big danger to an ecologically fragile northeast, he said, “I urge our scientists and researchers to focus their attention on the likely problems farmers might face due to global warming and find suitable solutions.”
On organic farming, he said that the NE region is “showing the way” and one which the other Indian states should learn.
Naidu next headed to the Nagaland Police Complex at Chümoukedima where he held a closed-door meeting with Governor of Assam and Nagaland, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi; Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy CM, Y Patton and other state Cabinet Ministers.
It was followed by virtually inaugurating the Directorate of Information Technology and Communications; Ministers Residential Complex and government school buildings in Kohima from the Police Guest House. The VP then met and interacted with “achievers” at the same venue but it was not specified which category of achievers.
The whirlwind of engagements culminated with a cultural programme at the NEZCC.
The ‘Security Clearance Pass’ issued to journalists for covering the visit was valid only for access to the ICAR and Niathu Resorts. As far as the available information went, no programme for the VP was scheduled in the latter.
