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Dimapur, Dec. 11 (EMN): The 25th Regional Committee Meeting (RCM) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for eight Northeastern States of India (Zone III) was virtually held on Saturday.
An update informed that the meeting aimed at providing a forum to agricultural researchers, state government functionaries and other stakeholders to discuss the gaps and priorities of agricultural research, education and extension for the next 2 years.
Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary of DARE and DG, ICAR apprised the panelists about the significant achievements of agriculture, livestock and fisheries sector of Northeast India and pointed out the supply-demand deficit of meat and milk in the region. He further urged the agricultural scientists to align their research based on the problems faced by the farmers.
Kailash Choudhary, minister of state for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, govt. of India, who was the chief guest, highlighted the importance of agricultural development in NE states for the overall development of the country. Emphasising on the development of northeast-specific crop varieties, popularisation of integrated farming system, stemming of decline in NE livestock population, farm mechanisation, he urged the agricultural scientists to focus on mission-mode programmes like -- Bamboo mission, Oil Palm mission, Honey Bee mission, etc. -- for the economic growth of the region.
Dr. V K Mishra, director of ICAR, NEH and member secretary of the meeting presented on the actions taken at the previous RCM meeting. Out of 50 issues flagged by the NE states during 24th RCM, majority of the issues were solved, it read.
The meeting discussed the state-wise agenda and various problems related to agriculture in detail, which were decided to be addressed in a time-bound manner.
It said that officials from Agricultural, Livestock and Fisheries department of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, officials of ICAR, directors and scientists from ICAR institutes including Vice Chancellors and officials of Assam Agricultural University and Central Agricultural university attended the meeting.