TWO DAYS KRISHI UNNATI MELA-2019 INAUGURATED IN ICAR MIZORAM CENTRE, KOLASIB, MIZORAM.
Kolasib, January 28: ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Mizoram Centre, Kolasib is organizing two days Krishi Unnati Mela 2019 during 28-29 January 2019 at Vengthar Playground, Kolasib, which is inaugurated on 28th January 2019.
Dr. I. Shakuntala, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Mizoram Centre, Kolasib delivered a welcoming speech, and said that Krishi Unnati Mela 2019 main goal is to improve agriculture in Mizoram. She further narrated that 25 stalls from different organizations were exhibited at this Mela.
Dr. N. Prakash, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, and Chief Guest inaugurated the Mela where different agricultural department and scientist from different region, several farmers, Self Help groups, NGO’s and students participated in the Mela. Dr. N. Prakash stated that GDP on agriculture in India is declining indicating the need for policy reformation. While mentioning the problems of agriculture in other states of the country, he highlighted that integrated farming is highly suitable for the northeastern region which could lead to sustainable production. He also expressed that inputs and technologies are available for farmers but improved storage and marketing system is needed. He further stated that the second Green revolution in the country is expected to start from the North Eastern Hills region for which implementation and adoption of advance farming technologies are much needed from the farmers.
Dr. H Kalita, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Arunachal Pradesh Centre, expressed that ‘Doubling farmers’ income’ is Prime Minister’s vision, while highlighting the importance of livelihood improvement of the farmers. He also mentioned that enhancement of per unit area production could pave the way for livelihood improvement in agriculture. Dr. DJ. Rajkhawa, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre mentioned the immense growth of Indian agriculture and highlighted that the country is not only self-sufficient in food grain production but export the food grain. He stressed that higher production should not only be the goal but sustainable farming and production is important in agriculture development as well as livelihood improvement in the country. Shri VR Nag, Deputy General Manager, NABARD expressed the importance of cooperation between different stakeholders while highlighting the role of NABARD in agriculture development.
The inaugural session was followed by Scientist-Farmers interaction chaired by Dr. N. Prakash, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, where several problems and questions of farmers were clarified and answered by experts from different organizations. Dr. DJ Rajkhowa, Joint Director, ICAR Nagaland Centre, Dr. H. Kalita, Joint Director, ICAR Arunachal Pradesh Centre, Dr. I. Shakuntala Joint Director, ICAR Mizoram Centre, Kolasib, Dr. AK Jha, Principal Scientist & Head, Horticulture Division, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Dr. M. Niranjan, Principal Scientist & Head, Animal Production Division, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Scientists and experts from different organizations participated in the interaction.
Departments from agriculture and allied sectors of the state of Mizoram, central organizations, several NGOs, self-help groups, private entrepreneurs as well as several farmers exhibit agriculture produce and also sell their produce in the Krishi Unnati Mela – 2019. A competition on the best agriculture farm product is also conducted among the farmers where several farmers exhibit their produce.In the Mela, not only the agriculture produce, but the advance technologies which could benefit the farming communities have also been showcased which farmers and officials highly appreciated.
