Tuber Crops based Village Incubation Centre: A ray of hope for the tribal farmers
Tuber Crops are the life line of the tribal farmers and the village incubation centre is the ray of hope for increasing rural livelihood option and doubling the farm income in Manipur’- the Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region has quoted while addressing the stakeholder’s workshop on “Tuber Crops Based Entrepreneurship in Manipur- Scope and Opportunities” organized by ICAR RC NEHR Manipur Centre in collaboration with ICAR-CTCRI and KVK Ukhrul on 15 March, 2018. Dr. I. Meghachandra Singh, Joint Director, appealed the stakeholders for optimum utilization of the Tuber Crops Incubation Centres established by ICAR at Riha and Thoyee villages of Ukhrul. Chief Guest, Shri P. K. Bal, Chairman of Manipur Rural Bank elaborated the role of bankers in development of rural entrepreneurship. The Scientific delegates from CTCRI, Trivandrum, Dr. R. Muthuraj, Dr. D. Jaganathan and Dr. T. Krishnakumar provided technical back up to the stakeholders. The Convener of the workshop, Dr. M. R. Sahoo highlighted the success story of the two tuber crop incubation centres established at Ukhrul. Over 50 entrepreneurs, SHG members, scientists and technicians have participated in this programme. Dr. D. Jaganathan, Organizing Secretary pronounced the vote of thanks.
ICAR RC NEHR, Manipur Centre also organized an One day Entrepreneurship Development Programme on “Utilizing Tuber Crops Based Village Incubation Centre for Sustainable Development” at Riha village in collaboration with ICAR-CTCRI under NEH programme on 14.03.2018. Members of the Maya and Lingsang tuber crops growers’ clubs along with 100 progressive farmers, SHG members and rural youths have participated in the programme. The delegates have emphasized on the prospects of the village incubation centres for sustainable livelihood options for the tribal communities. The established village incubation centres are not only helpful for increasing the rural livelihood but also doubling the farmer’s income through value addition of tuber crops through primary and secondary processing.
