Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nagaland Governor La Ganesan, Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang and others during the inauguration of the administrative-cum-academic block of CoVSc&AH, Jalukie on May 15. (Image Courtsy: CoVSc&AH)
Inaugurates administrative-cum-academic block of CoVSc&AH Jalukie
Jalukie, May 15 (MExN): Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Thursday announced a financial assistance amounting to Rs 338.83 crore for the overall growth and development of the agriculture sector and the welfare of farming communities in Nagaland.
Inaugurating the administrative-cum-academic block of CoVSc&AH, Jalukie, Chouhan also invited the Government of Nagaland to submit an action plan for the agriculture and rural development of the State to the Union Government.
He assured full support from the Union Government for such an initiative, an official release informed.
The Union Minister also advised State Government officials to form a core scientific team comprising scientists, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) officials, university professionals, and farmers for each district of Nagaland.
This team will visit and interact with farmers in villages at least twice a month to identify the problems they face and assist in the formulation of policy and technological interventions at the grassroots level, he added.
Chouhan also highlighted the progress of Nagaland's agriculture and livestock sectors, underscored the State’s specific products, and the opportunities in natural farming, and assured the Union support.
He also appreciated the efforts of the College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry (CoVSc&AH), Jalukie, under Central Agricultural University (Imphal), and invited its students to Delhi to share their innovative ideas with him.
The Union Minister assured full cooperation and financial support for student start-ups and entrepreneurship development.
He also promised to revisit Nagaland to interact with farmers and students.
Chouhan also visited the Farmers’ Fair and exhibition stalls. A total of 12 stalls exhibited their technologies, extension activities, products related to milk, meat, fish, fruits, crops, and achievements from livestock farming, agriculture, fisheries, including those by self-help groups.
Presiding over the inaugural, Governor of Nagaland, La Ganesan, appreciated the Union Minister’s physical presence despite the prevailing unfavourable weather in the North-East region.
He also lauded the role of CAU, Imphal, and CoVSc&AH in supporting animal healthcare and agricultural improvement for the people of the NEH region.
Ganesan emphasised the importance of a scientific approach and partnerships between farmers and stakeholders so that the vision of Viksit Bharat can be realised by 2047.
Meanwhile, Guest of Honour and Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, highlighted the importance of technical interventions and research-oriented farming in the region for agricultural progress and economic upliftment in the State.
Earlier, Dr I Shakuntala, Dean of the college, welcomed all the dignitaries, officials, faculty and staff members, students, and farmers to the event and highlighted the college’s various activities.
Among others, the inaugural was attended by 639 farmers from 29 different villages of Peren and Chümoukedima districts, and 84 officials from State and Central Governments, the release added.
