Farmers play a vital role in uplifting the bio-economy of a region as they are the one who are physically involved in the field work, said vice-chancellor of Central Agriculture University (CAU), Imphal Anupam Mishra on Friday. He also stressed the 'need for cross learning among farmers to improve productivity'.
He was delivering the chief guest speech during the “Showcasing of Technology product under PMVDY –Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (PMVDY-ESOP)” and interface programme on “Venturing Remunerative Agriculture and Allied Enterprises in Manipur” held at CAU, Lamphelpat campus in Imphal West.
It was organised by the directorate of Extension Education of CAU, Imphal and jointly sponsored by the ICAR-National Bureau of Agriculture Insect Resources, Bengaluru and department of Forest.
Mishra said though most of the farmers are illiterate, they have very good knowledge and skills on the nature of plants and soils than the educated people.
Stressing the need to improve trade with neighbouring countries, he said there is a need to discuss the various types of policy intervention which is required to improve the trades.
Pointing out that the Northeast region is a biodiversity hotspot, various products available in the state are not available in any other parts of the country, he said. He elaborated on the need to focus on fish and aromatic and medicinal plants and how to boost exports of the products.
The vice-chancellor also expressed the need of cross learning among farmers by exchanging their knowledge and experience to improve their productivity.
The programme was organised to showcase the forest products which have been neglected and left unknown and how to make them value-added products and to make people aware of the products, said director of Extension Education CAU, Imphal Ph Ranjit Sharma while delivering the presidential speech.
Around 340 farmers and entrepreneurs from across the state participated in the programme. Seeds, saplings and farming machineries were also distributed to 72 farmers.
The programme was also attended by director of Research, CAU S Basanta Singh; former director of ICAR(RC) for NEH Region SV Ngachan; dean of College of Food Technology, CAU Ng Joykumar Singh; dean of College of Agriculture, CAU Indira Sarangthem and registrar of CAU K Mamocha Singh as guests of honour.
