National seminar on ‘Sustaining Hill Agriculture in Changing Climate’ inaugurated.
National seminar on ‘sustaining hill agriculture in changing climate’ is being organized by Indian Association of Hill Farming (IAHF) and ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya during 5-7 Dec, 2015 at Pragna Bhawan, Agartala. The seminar is attended by about 175 scientists, experts, teachers, extension personnel, student and farmers from across the country especially the Himalayan region. The inaugural function of the seminar was held on 5th Dec, 2015 and graced by the Hon’ Governor of Tripura Shri Tathagata Roy as chief guest. Prof. AK Ghosh, Honourable vice Chancellor of Tripura University, Dr. GSG Ayyangar, Principal Secretary, Govt. of Tripura, Dr. P Das, Former, Deputy Director General (Agril Extn), ICAR, Dr. KR Dhiman, Former, Vice Chancellor, YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Dr. UC Sharma, Former Coordinator, NATP, Dr. Jitendra Chauhan, Scientific Adviser to Union Minister of Agriculture, Gov of India, Dr. SV Ngachan, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH region, Umiam, Meghalaya and Dr. M. Datta, Joint Director, ICAR, Tripura Centre.
Governor of Tripura lighting inaugural lamp and giving away the IAHF awards during national seminar
The inaugural programme was attended by about 300 participants including officials from Govt of Tripura and about 50 farmers mostly from Tripura and about 10 from other states. The Governor of Tripura appreciated the effort of IAHF and ICAR-NEH for organizing the seminar on a pertinent topic on which presently world leaders are delivering to save the earth from negative impact of Climate Change. He expressed his concern for global warming and its impact on livelihood and environmental security. Governor specially emphasized on conflict between agriculture and forestry, and need for developing and implementing strategies for climate smart farming for adaptation and mitigation of climate change. The Governor also laid emphasis on processing the best quality pine apple found in Tripura for bringing more income to the farming community. He stressed on improvement of transportation to facilitate export of agricultural product from NE especially from Tripura. The Chief Guest gave various IAHF Awards such as IAHF fellow, best extension scientists, Young Scientist award, Best Ph. D thesis, Best M. Sc. thesis and Best research paper published in Indian Journal of Hill farming. A number of books and bulletins related to sustainable agriculture and livestock production in hill farming were also released by the honourable Governor. Soil health cards, soil testing kits and Fruit fly trap were distributed to few farmers by the Honouranle Chief Guest. The dignitaries on the dais mainly focused on significance of Word soil day, impact of climate change and ways and means to combat them, conservation of natural resources, sustainable horticulture, livestock and fishery production, improved agroforestry and shifting cultivation. Organic farming and secondary agriculture specially fruit and vegetable processing was emphasized by the most of the dignitaries. The Governor of Tripura also inaugurated the Exhibition organized by the different ICAR Institutes, College of Fisheries, and Agriculture Department of Tripura. A scientist –farmers interaction meeting was organized to discuss various issues faced by the farmers imposed by changing climate. To commemorate the word soil day (5 December) and international year of soils (2015) special discussion and interaction on ways and means to conserve soil and sustains it productivity was discussed with the farmers. Farmers also expressed their views on various aspects of agriculture. The seminar will continue till 7 Dec, 2015 and presentations and interactions on various aspects of sustainable hill agriculture across the Himalayas and other hill region would be organized. The inaugural session ended with vote of thanks by Dr. Anup Das, Secretary, IAHF.
