STAKEHOLDER MEET ON AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT AND AGROMET ADVISORY SERVICES IN NAGALAND ORGANIZED ON 21st NOVEMBER 2016

Jharnapani, Medziphema: Mr. M.K. Mero, Commissioner and Secretary, Veterinary and Animal Husbandary, Government of Nagaland inaugurated the Stakeholder meet on agriculture development and agromet advisory services in Nagaland on 21st November 2016 in the presence of Dr. S.V. Ngachan, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, Dr. K. Ghosh, Deputy Director General (Meteorology), Indian Meteorological Department, Govt. of India, Guwahati, Assam, Professor R.C. Gupta, Dean, NU-SASRD, Nagaland, Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Director, NRC on Mithun, Nagaland, Dr. G. Dhananjaya Rao, Dean, College of Veterinary, CAU, Shri I.P. Khalla, Director, Department of Veterinary and Animal husbandry, Govt. of Nagaland, other dignitaries and farmers.

Dr. DJ Rajkhowa, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, welcome the dignitaries and mentioned the importance of the agriculture for the state of Nagaland 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 also urges the state government and central organization to join hands in bringing out workable strategy for the development of agriculture and allied sectors in Nagaland.

During the inauguration of the event, Shri M.K. Mero, mentioned that the production is much lower than the requirement in all agriculture and allied sectors in Nagaland which indicate the need for stakeholder meet on agriculture development and agromet advisory services. He also highlighted that partnership of all stakeholders is highly crucial and interaction of all the concern partners in agriculture will ensure that the benefits percolate to the farmers. While mentioning the importance of the event, “Stakeholders must join hands in working toward agricultural development to attain self sufficiency through sustainable agriculture” Shri M.K. Mero said.

Dr. SV Ngachan highlighted importance of increasing farmer’s income through technological intervention while mentioning the possibilities of enhancing production through timely and precise advisories. He also expressed the challenge faced by the farming community under the changing climate and mentioned the importance of integrated farming system and the opportunities existing as the state is rich in resources. “Integration of livestock, agriculture and fisheries can results in enhancing the income of further and provide nutritional security” Dr. SV Ngachan added. Professor RC Gupta, stressed 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 mentioned that 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, mentioned the importance of Mithun in Nagaland and expressed the potential of Mithun rearing while highlighting the need of implementing different available technologies for the development of agriculture in the state. Dr. G. Dhananjaya Rao stressed the importance of integrated farming for the people of northeastern region by encouraging backyard farming practice and calls for precise information on weather to be provided to the farming communities. Shri I.P. Khalla highlighted the role of veterinary department for the livelihood improvement of the farming communities and urge for the convergence of all the stakeholders in working towards the development of the 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. During the technical sessions, several experts from central organizations, ICAR, state departments and NGOs presented papers on different aspects of agriculture, horticulture, livestocks, fisheries and weather forecast which were discussed in depth with an aim of developing workable strategies for the development of the agriculture and allied sectors in Nagaland as well as the region.

The event was attended by various dignitaries from central, state organizations, NGOs and farmers. A souvenir comprises of several articles contributed by experts from ICAR, state departments and other organization was also released during the event.