Our Correspondent
MEDZIPHEMA, FEBRUARY 28
The three-day national seminar on ‘Sustainable Horticulture vis-à-vis Changing Environment’ that was being held at SASRD, Nagaland University, Medziphema concluded Saturday afternoon. A set of recommendations were put together after deliberation on information and research works presented by eminent horticulturists across the country, researchers, policymakers, producers, marketing personnel, development agencies and other stakeholders during the three-day programme. The recommendations were read out by Dr. CS Maiti, the co-organizing secretary of the seminar during the valedictory function. Some of the general points of the recommendations include- Creating awareness on the perils of climate change, carbon sequestration and carbon trading opportunities among client groups, industry groups and the policy makers; Horticultural projects with entrepreneurial potential have to be developed in a focussed manner; Promote and replicate conversion of villages into enterprise using bio-village concept; Align various capacity building programs with national skill certification framework; Promote consortium of medium and small industry and farmer organizations in an integrated manner for local fruits and spices’ value addition; Separate certification system for crops grown under natural conditions like the northeast India; Promote fruit crops which have commercial that have commercial utility and economic viability; Marketability of important crops should be ascertained; Production and sell of planting material should be commercialized; Target oriented breeding strategy has to be adopted; Stress to be given to breeding vegetable crops for nutritional and nutraceutical quality; Establishment of the school of Protected Cultivation and incorporation of the same in the B. Sc. (Agri)/B. Sc. (Hort) syllabus of the ICAR; Offering a vocational course in the relevant institutions to all undergraduate/post-graduate courses, etc.Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya, who graced the valedictory programme as the chief guest hailed the organisers for putting together the seminar with a much relevant theme. He said the government, both at the Centre and the state levels are making all efforts to commercialize horticultural activities in India. He observed that horticulture is one of the main agricultural practices and it has become an ideal option for diversification to meet the need for food, nutrition, health care and also gives better opportunity for employment. He acknowledged that while there is an apparent increase in demand for horticultural produce, there are growing concerns for the need of sustainability in the face of the ever changing environment. He expressed optimism that this kind of seminars and other innovative research programmes will help to mitigate the problem to overcome the challenges of climate change.
Stating that the northeast is endowed with vast hidden energy and natural resources, Acharya stressed on the need for universities in the region to link and introduce studies and research on the existing resources and related conditions for the growth and progress of the region. He also emphasized on actual application of research and utilizing knowledge gained for social benefits. Education and knowledge which is self-centred is not true knowledge, he stated.
In the context of Nagaland, the Governor asserted that having an agricultural school in the state could go a long way in achieving milestones for the state in horticultural sector. He lauded SASRD for displaying potentials to become a central university, and further expressed hope that the scholars of the school will strive and apply their knowledge for the growth of the state.
“Our research institutions such as ICAR and Central Institute of Horticulture will give efforts to develop and implement strategic plans and enable policies and work towards meeting fresh challenges,” he said.
Brief remarks of the seminar were delivered by officials of the state department of Horticulture, department of Land Resources Development, and CIH Nagaland director, Dr. Lallan Ram. They acknowledged that the programme had been a learning experience and assured to apply the recommendations not only to the departments and institutions but to the farming community as well. They also expressed hope that the deliberations will be fruitful and reach to the farmers, researchers as well as policy making levels.
The event was an initiative of the Horticulture Society of North East India (HSNEI).
