The College of Agriculture, Pasighat, in collaboration with ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tawang, ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone VI, Guwahati organized a pivotal interaction meeting today. The interaction meeting aimed to improve agricultural practices in border areas, utilize technology and promote sustainable farming for the long-term prosperity of North East Indian farming communities.
Dr. Anupam Mishra, Vice-Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, emphasised the importance of capacity building and financial literacy among FPOs, highlighting crop diversification for income enhancement, and advocated for decision support systems for marketing. He accentuated introducing quality parameters for chemical profiling to improve marketability. Dr. Mishra urged farmers to capitalize on their strengths and adopt sustainable farming practices.
Shri. Sang Khandu, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Tawang, highlighted the significance of organic farming and urged the scientists to study traditional methods and explore local wild fruits and vegetables for consumption. He also encouraged the local farmers to dominate the local vegetable market with indigenous products and promote local agricultural diversity and sustainability.
Dr. G. Kadirvel, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Zone VI, emphasised boosting the agri-allied sector in the border regions of Northeast India. He accentuated the importance of horticulture, value addition, and processing, and enhanced the livestock sector to improve the economic resilience of border communities.
Dr. A.K. Tripathi, Dean, College of Agriculture, CAU (I), Pasighat, spoke about empowering these organizations with scientific agricultural methods to foster sustainable development and economic growth.
Senior scientists from various ICAR-KVKs, along with State and Central Government officials and Farmer Producer Organizations attended the programme.
(Source: ICAR)