IMPHAL, January 23: The state-level Krishi Mela, 2014 organised by the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Department of Agriculture, government of Manipur concluded today at the Iboyaima Sanglen.
During the closing function, state chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh distributed the State’s Best Farmer Award, Best ATMA District Award, Best Stall Award, Inputs under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and certificates of participations.
Addressing the function, chief guest, Okram Ibobi Singh said although Manipur has received awards in agricultural production among the North Eastern states, it continues to face food deficit.
The general perception and belief is that the farmers of the state are unable to maximise production from their farms, however, in order to achieve such maximisation of production, the farmers need to adopt machineries to make their work economically viable, the CM observed.
He further said the Krishi Mela will help the farmers in meeting their own inadequacy.
Calling upon the youth of the state to be innovative in order to fight the unemployment issue in the state, he said the veterinary and fisheries departments have a lot of scope.
Unemployment is a big issue in the state, and the government along cannot solve it, he observed before saying, the private entrepreneurs should also be instrumental.
It is impossible for the government to provide jobs to every individual, and as such the state needs to encourage private entrepreneurs as in other states, he opined.
State Agriculture and Fisheries minister Md Abdul Nasir appealed to the state farmers to cooperate with the government for the development of the state.