Tripura Centre of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region encouraging Murrah buffalo farming and Farm Mechanization among tribal farmers
Shri Aghore Debbarma, the Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Animal Resource Development and Tribal Welfare Departments, Tripura, gave away 3 numbers of Power Tillers, 16 Murrah buffaloes, 20 Black Bengal goats and 6 Hampshire crossbred pigs, to the Tribal farmers in a ‘Input Distribution Programme” under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) organized by ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura Centre, Lembucherra, on 12 June, 2016. The Hon’ble Minister called upon the tribal farmers to harness all the opportunities under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) by adopting improved technologies offered by ICAR to boost up farm productivity of food grains, pulses, milk, meat, egg and fisheries. He pointed out that improved breeds of buffaloes, goat and pig should help the farmers to improve their economic conditions. Power Tillers to the Farmers’ Clubs will cater the need of mechanization to bring down the drudgery and cost of cultivation in food crops and thereby will help them to enhance net income from the invest on agricultural activities.
Dr. S.V. Ngachan, Director of the Institute highlighted that varieties of rice and pulses developed at Tripura Centre has become popular not only in the state but in neighboring states. Under TSP theses varieties are further spread among the tribal farmers. He stressed upon the research and development needs on organic farming, climate resilient crop and animal breeds. He pointed out that real progress is possible only if an integrated approach involving improved varieties of crops, livestock and fish supported by improved production technologies is adopted by the farmers. At the same time he urged that tribal farmers have basket full of indigenous know how, which they should not forget to apply for their betterment and to lead a life full of health and vigour.
At the outset, Dr. K.K. Barman, Joint Director I/C of the centre welcomed dignitaries, farmers and officers from line departments. He informed that Power tillers given to Tribal Farmers’ Clubs is a part of the productivity enhancement programme of rice and pulses in Tribal areas though large number of FLDs on improved varieties developed by Tripura Centre. Murrah buffaloes, Black Bengal goats and Hampshire crossbred pigs are given to tribal farmers to augment the milk and meat production in the state. In a 3 years research, Murrah buffalo has shown good promise at Tripura Centre, and thus16 Murrah buffaloes are given to tribal farmers to demonstrate its potential in augmenting milk production in the state. Among the other dignitaries, Dr. M. Sarkar, Director, ARDD, Govt. of Tripura and Dr. M. Datta, Ex Joint Director, Tripura Centre were present. 107 tribal farmers attended the programme and taken home the inputs distributed to them.
Shri Aghore Debbarma, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture , Tripura (in centre) and Dr. S. V. Ngachan, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region and Dr. K K Barman, Joint Director, Tripura Centre handing over a Power Tiller to Chief Coordinator of Surjya Uday Farmers’ Club, Gangacherra Tribal Farmers Club members receiving the power tillers
Shri Aghore Debbarma, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Tripura handing over Murrah buffalo to tribal farmer Dr. S. V. Ngachan, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region handing over Black Bengal goat to tribal farmer
