IMPHAL, Apr 19 (DIPR):Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh has said that conventional methods of agricultural farming should be replaced by new farming techniques to enhance productivity and agricultural growth.
Speaking at the agricultural inputs distribution function at College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University(CAU), Iroisemba, the Deputy Chief Minster said, “Jhuming and terrace cultivations are widely practiced in most of the hill areas of the State thus posing a big challenge to the environment apart from causing health hazard to human beings. Therefore, it is time to replace such conventional methods of farming by embracing new methods of farming.”
The Deputy Chief Minister said that approach and efforts should also be changed especially in the hilly areas in order to introduce alternate farming methods so that productivity can be increased and environment can also be conserved at the same time.
Lauding CAU’s effort in introducing alternative methods under Tribal Sub Plan-Project in five States of North East India, the Deputy Chief Minister appealed CAU authority to cover larger areas both in hill and valley and to increase coverage of double cropping and cash crop cultivation.
Highlighting CAU’s initiative to introduce alternate methods of farming in the North East States, CAU, Imphal Vice Chancellor Dr M Premjit Singh said that the project has been sanctioned by the Ministry of Agriculture on an experimental basis.
He said that the project covers 15 CD Blocks in five North Eastern States – Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland. Among the blocks, six blocks under Manipur – Churachandpur, Chandel , Machi, Phungyar, Saikul and Kangpokpi are covered.
If people co-operate, the project can be sustained thereby enhancing productivity and means of livelihood, he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister also distributed saplings of various fruits including lemon, orange and grapes to the beneficiaries of hill districts. Dr CA Srinivasa murthy, Director of Research, CAU, Imphal and Dr J M Laishram, Dean, College of Agriculture, CAU were also present at the function.
Source: The Sangai Express
