Union Agriculture minister talks about the potential of NE in organic farming

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The inaugural ceremony of 24th Regional Committee Meeting of ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) Research Complex for NEH Region for Zone- III was held recently. Present at the event, Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare emphasised on developing organic farming in the North-Eastern region, and eliminating harmful fertilizers and pesticides used in farming, which has alarmingly increased the health hazards among the people of the country.

The Minister also highlighted the PM Modi’s vision for farmers by the convergence of the technologies based on the available resources which would help in solving the farmer’s problems as well as doubling the farmer’s income by 2022. Besides, he also appealed everyone’s cooperation for achieving the goal.

Speaking at the event, Choudhary also informed that the KVK (Krishi Vikash Kendrya) which are spread across the region are doing laudable jobs by testing and demonstrating frontline technologies and imparting training to very large numbers of farmers and youth to enhance their understandings and skills for adopting new technologies.

Speaking on the occasion, Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora mentioned that the economy of the North-Eastern area is still mainly agrarian, while most of the states in India are gradually moving away from their traditional agri-based economy to the industry or service-oriented economy. He said this region is still lagging far behind and thereby stated that the Assam Agriculture University and other Agriculture universities and Research Institutes of this region needs guidance and support of ICAR to do their best possible to enhance the crop productivity with suitable varieties and innovate crop production practices, which are suitable for local farmers.

Dr RC Agrawal, DDG (Education) and Nodal Officer RCM, shared that ICAR emphasises on finding out solutions for better yield of agricultural products. He informed that the purpose of the Regional Committee is to provide a forum to researchers and the State Government functionaries to examine the major gaps in the current research and training efforts in the farming sector; identify priorities and decide the agenda of research and extension education for the coming two years.