Interface meeting organized between ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region -Mizoram Centre and State level stakeholders on 24th September 2018, at Aizawl Club (Aizawl, Mizoram).
ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Mizoram Centre, Kolasib organized the interface meeting with the state level stakeholders on 24th September, 2018, at Aijal Club, Aizawl, Mizoram. Pu Lalsawta (Cabinet Minister, Finance and Planning, Govt of Mizoram) graced the programme as Chief Guest and Pu P.C Lalthanliana (Cabinet Minister, Horticulture, Govt. of Mizoram) was the Guest of Honour.
Dr N Prakash Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH region, Umiam in his inaugural address welcomed the dignitaries and delegates. He elaborated the details of potential tested agricultural technologies developed by ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region for doubling farmers’ income in Mizoram and emphasized on their consecutive adaptation potential across the Mizoram state. He presented the brief details of the potential Integrated Farming System (IFS) models developed by the institute and ongoing flagship programmes for livelihood improvement and welfare of the farmers’ community in Mizoram. Dr. B. C. Deka, Director ATARI- Umiam, emphasized upon the need for developing partnership among all stakeholders for utilizing true potential of agriculture technologies for doubling farmers’ income in Mizoram.
Pu Lalhmingthanga (Commissioner and Secretary, Agri & RD Department) mentioned the ongoing efforts of Indian scientific community and policy planners towards sustainable agricultural growth and development at village level that particularly aimed for doubling the farmer income. He apprised initiatives taken by institute in bringing various state level stakeholders together for effective discussion for the potential solutions of existing farming sector problems in Mizoram.
In his Guest of Honour address, Pu P.C Lalthanliana (Cabinet Minister, Horticulture), stated about the contribution of agriculture sector in Indian economy and pointed out the problems faced by the farming community practicing rainfed shifting agriculture in the steep slopes of Lusai hills. He urged the ICAR scientists to strengthen the Mizo farming community through subsequent dissemination and large scale adaptation of the potential agricultural technologies, aimed to increase in net productivity of the hill agro-ecosystems in Mizoram.
In his speech as Chief Guest of the session, Pu Lalsawta emphasized the need of replacement of traditional farming technologies with the recently developed ICAR technologies and extensive adaptation of farm mechanization. He also mentioned the requirement of investors and entrepreneurship development in the agriculture sector, for achieving the self sufficiency in state-level food grain production.
Dr. S. Desai (Principal scientist, ICAR- CRIDA emphasized the need for preparation of district level contingency plans for increasing farming resiliency in Mizoram.
Finally, Dr I.Shakuntala, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Mizoram Centre proposed formal vote of thanks. Total 95 participants from different line department attended the programme.
