‘NE needs another green revolution’

Newmai News Network

SHILLONG |Sep 19

North Eastern Council (NEC), secretary Ram Muivah today said that the Northeast like always was left out of the ‘Green revolution’ and so the NE and the eastern region needs yet another green revolution to transform the lives of the farmers and the populace.

Ram Muivah said this while addressing a national seminar on Smart Farming for Enhancing Input Use Efficiency Income and Environmental Security at ICAR, Umiam in Meghalaya today.

Pointing out that the green revolution has brought about a remarkable change in states like Punjab, Haryana, the western regions of the country and Andhra Pradesh, Ram Muivah said, “The Northeast region vitally needs another green revolution”.

Stating that before the green revolution the country had shortage of food grain and depended on imports, Ram Muivah said that with the green revolution the country became food grain surplus, however the region has been left out and it needs such revolution.

The three-day national seminar will highlight on the theme “Smart Farming for Enhancing Input Use Efficiency Income and Environmental Security”. The National Seminar will witness brain storming sessions from more than 300 participants from all over India.

Agricultural diversification, processing and value addition along with entrepreneurship development and smart marketing linkages will play a key role for doubling farmers’ income and to achieve the Prime Ministers vision of food surplus India.

Earlier director of ICAR SV. Ngachan said that technology needs to be upgraded for the hilly region because the topography of the region requires special attention.

“The technical and brain storming sessions will give a new direction towards the agricultural development and enhance farmers’ income,” Ngachan added.

Former vice vhancellor, YSPUH&F, Solan K. R. Dhiman, stressed on the implementation of rain-water harvesting, micro irrigation system, and drip irrigation methods to be adopted in the region.

“Location specific nutrients have to be developed and production using low productivity input should be implemented,” he said.

He further added that the hilly regions are the custodian of “natural resources” and “organic production system.”