Stakeholders urged to join hands to attain sustainable agriculture

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 21: Commissioner and secretary of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry,M.K. Mero,urged that stakeholders must join hands in working towards agricultural development to attain self sufficiency through sustainable agriculture. Speaking at the inauguration stakeholder meeton “Agriculture development and agromet advisory services in Nagaland”, on21 November atICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Medziphema, Mero said in Nagalandproduction is much lower than the requirement in all agriculture and allied sectors which indicate the need for stakeholder meet on agriculture development and agromet advisory services. He opined that partnership of all stakeholders is highly crucial and interaction of all the concerned partners in agriculture will ensure that the benefits percolate to the farmers Joint director of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Dr. DJ Rajkhowa, mentioned the importance of the agriculture in the state while highlighting the role and contribution of ICAR RC for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre for the development of agriculture and allied sectors in Nagaland. He urged the state government and central organization to join hands in bringing out workable strategy for the development of agriculture and allied sectors in Nagaland. Dr. SV Ngachan spoke on the importance of increasing farmer’s income through technological intervention and mentioned the possibilities of enhancing production through timely and precise advisories. He also expressed the challenges faced by the farming community under the changing climate and shared the importance of integrated farming system and opportunities existing in the state.Further, he added that integration of livestock, agriculture and fisheries can enhance the income and provide nutritional security. Professor RC Guptaemphasized on the importance of all stakeholders working together towards evergreen revolution and mentioned that agriculture must be in the right direction and in the right hand. Dr. K Ghosh said maximum production can be achieved with optimum use of resources which could be achieved with right information and highlighted the importance of providing climate related information to the farming communities as the success or failure of crops depends on it. Dr. Abhijit Mitra, shared the importance of Mithun in Nagaland and potential of Mithun rearing and also stressed the need of implementing different available technologies for the development of agriculture in the state. Dr. G. Dhananjaya Rao talked on the importance of integrated farming for the people of North Eastern Region by encouraging backyard farming practice and called for precise information to be provided to the farming communities. I.P. Khalla highlighted the role of veterinary department for the livelihood improvement of the farming communities and urged for convergence of all the stakeholders in working towards the development ofthe sectors. The inaugural session was followed by three technical sessions on animal science and fisheries, agricultural and horticultural sciences, agromet advisory services and transfer of technologies. Several experts from central organizations, ICAR, state departments and NGOs presented papers on different aspects of agriculture, horticulture, livestocks, fisheries and weather forecast. A souvenir comprises of several articles contributed by experts from ICAR, state departments and other organization was also released on the day. The programme was attended by various dignitaries from central, state organizations, NGOs and farmers.