Our Correspondent
Imphal, Jan. 9 (EMN): The 44th foundation day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) North Eastern Hill region Manipur Centre, Lamphelpat was held at its Lamphelpat campus here on Wed. Jan. 9.
Principal Secretary JC Ramthanga of Horticulture and Soil conservation, Government of Manipur and Joint Director Dr I Meghachandra of the ICAR NEH Region Manipur centre besides Senior scientist AC Sharma (Retd)of the ICAR Manipur centre attended in the dais of the foundation day function.
Speaking on the occasion, Principal Secretary JC Ramthanga lauded the contribution made by the scientists of the ICAR Manipur center while implementing the important government programmes under Mission for integrated development of horticulture,Manipur organic mission agency and Mission organic value chain development for north eastern region.
Stating that the inputs from ICAR were fully involved in government initiatives, the senior officer also informed this reporter that Manipur government is planning to establish cold chain system in the remote places of the state including Pherzawl district to help and support the requirements of the farmers.
In his speech joint Director in charge Dr I Meghachandra of the ICAR NEH Region Manipur centre mentioned that Prof MS Swaminathan, the father of Indian Green Revolution with his visionary zeal led to the establishment of the ICAR Manipur centre on this day in 1975 as a regional centre with an objective to create the long felt farm research base in the state of Manipur and to help in solving the problems relating to agriculture and allied sectors.
Since inception, the ICAR Manipur centre with its five Krishi Vigyan Kendras is working tirelessly for the development and dissemination of improved agro-technologies; Dr Meghachandra added and personally expressed his desire to expand the activities of the institution in the interest of the farming community.
The institute foundation day observed every year at its regional headquarters in Meghalaya and other centres in north eastern states, according to staffs of the ICAR Manipur centre which has as many as 18 scientists working under 10 different departments to extend necessary technologies for the enhancement of the farm production in the region round the year. Three retired scientists of the institute was also honoured in the day’s foundation day observation.
