7th National Extension Education Congress, 8-11 November, 2014 inaugurated successfully in ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Meghalaya
The 7th National Extension Education Congress was inaugurated on 8th November at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umaim with a theme entitled “Translational Research Extension for Small Farm Development” . The Congress is being jointly organized by Society of Extension Education, Agra; ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam in collaboration with Central Agricultural University, Imphal; Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat and Zonal Project Directorate, Zone III, Umiam. Inaugurating the Congress the Chief Guest Shri Rowell Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya said that the knowledge, generated by research, often gets obsolete by the time it reaches the farmers due to big lapse of time. The relevant agencies should consider this problem seriously and should reform their activities to strengthen the links between research, teaching and extension. He further added that ‘Centralized planning of the agricultural / extension education system is not addressing the local needs to the extent required. Specialized courses in extension technology should be developed to upgrade the teaching / extension skills. He urged the extension scientists to move from Transfer of Technology Mode to Technology Application Mode and farmer’s participatory approach should now form a part of training of extension practitioners. Furthermore, need-based, problem-solving, skill-based vocational training for self-employment for farmers, farm women and rural youth should be included in extension education’ said Shri Lyngdoh.
Fish fingerlings distributed to farmers on the occassion of 7th National Extension Education Congress at ICAR, Umiam. Inauguration of the 7th National Extension Education Congress at ICAR, Umiam.
Dr. Mangala Rai, former Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR in his key note address said that the complexities of small farm holders are more complex than understood, and it becomes still more complex because these farmers purchase in retail but sell in wholesale. ‘For sustainable economic development of the small farmers, production, processing, marketing and access should be seen as parts of the same chain. The dream of ‘Swatch Bharat’ can be realized through a clean and efficient agriculture’, said Dr. Rai. Referring to the loss of grains in godowns, Dr. Rai said that if economic and ecological access increases, the food loss would reduce to a great extent.
Inauguration of the 7th National Extension Education Congress at ICAR, Umiam Minister visiting the exhibition on the occassion of 7th National Extension Education Congress at ICAR, Umiam
Dr. S. V. Ngachan, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, in his welcome address said that looking at the significance of the thematic areas like small farm holders and their farming complexities and priorities, technology dissemination approaches, integration of public-private support systems, farmer to farmer knowledge sharing mechanism within the context of present agricultural development in the country, the 7th National Extension Education Congress was appropriate and befitting one. The society presented life time achievement awards to several stalwarts of agricultural extension, education and social work like Dr. G. Trivedi, Dr. K. Narayan Gowda and Mr. Sunil Deodhar.
About 500 extension specialists from different parts of India are participating in the Congress which will continue until 11th of this month.
On the occasion fish fingerlings, soil testing kits vegetable seeds etc were also distributed to the farmers by the Hon’ble Minister with a showcasing of ICAR technologies for the awareness of the stakeholders.
