Shillong, July 28: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh, visited ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region at Umïam on Saturday.
The minister interacted with the farmers from Ri-Bhoi district and scientists of the Institute.
The Minister stressed that research should be focused on “income centric plans†and marketing and value addition should be focused while technology should reach the farmers field.
“Efforts should be made to encourage farmers of the region to engage in organic farming,” he said while urging all scientists to be “change agent†and take their research to farmers’ fields which in turn, would help in increasing their income.
The Minister also gave a clarion call to all scientists by asking them to be in touch with farmers from adopted villages like their own family members.
He stressed upon diversification of agriculture with allied activities viz., horticulture, dairying, bee keeping, mushroom cultivation etc. Further, he suggested that doubling of farmers’ income can be achieved through reduction in input cost, value addition and proper marketing of agricultural produce.
Singh also complimented the Institute for doing good works for upliftment of farming community of the region. Integrated farming system models having B: C (benefit cost ratio) more than 2, should be demonstrated and popularized amongst farmers.
He emphasized upon popularization of micro-irrigation for efficient use of water. Scientists of the Institute pledged to work towards the mission of the Prime Minister to double the farmers’ income by 2022.
