From Our Spl Correspondent
NEW DELHI: Meghalaya will quadruple its rice production with a mission mode approach that too in a organic way in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma who just returned from his visit to Philippines said.
Talking to The Shillong Times here, Dr Sangma who held detailed discussions with the experts in the IRRI said that efforts would also be on to minimise the losses while maximising the yield. Meghalaya has rice cultivation of both the highland and low land variety.
A high level delegation from the reputed institute will visit the state soon to find out how to minimise the losses to rice crop during perennial floods in the plains and abnormal rains in the hills, Dr Sangma said. “Once this is achieved farmers would be inclined to go for more rice production which in any case is the staple food in Meghalaya,” he said.
The State government is tying up with the IRRI , Philippines, for improving productivity of rice and up-scaling the income of the rice-farmers in Meghalaya. Rice consumption all over is increasing with more youths to be fed but the area of cultivation of the crop is not increasing at that rate, he said.
Hence, the basic problem is how to feed the extra mouths by increasing rice production and lessening the damage due to hostile conditions, Dr Sangma said. The institute scientist should find out how a rice crop can withstand flood waters for a fortnight which is almost an annual feature in the plains of the hill state, he said.
At the same time, the scientists should also find out how high yielding rice crops can be raised in the hills against natural calamities like draughts and cyclones the Chief Minister said. While taking up all these steps, attention will be given so that the farmers can continue with organic farming.
Farmers would be sensitised about the improved rice farming, Dr Sangma said. A group of young and dedicated officers and scientists would be sent to IRRI for training and field knowledge. he said.
IRRI Director General William Padolina briefed the delegation on the prospect of introducing new methods in increasing rice productivity in this Northeastern state. Meghalaya and IRRI will conduct mapping of rice growing areas in the state with the objective of increasing rice productivity.
Chief Minister accompanied by Chief Secretary WMS Pariat was on a visit to the famous IRRI , a non-profit independent research and training organization based in the capital city of Manila. During the visit, they had an overview of the Institute’s research activities and discussed possible collaboration, the sources added.
IRRI develops new rice varieties and rice crop management techniques that help farmers improve the yield and quality of rice in an environmentally sustainable way.
It works with both public and private sector partners in national agricultural research and extension systems in major rice-growing countries in areas of research, training, and knowledge transfer.
The basic aim of the institute is to reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure environmental sustainability through collaborative research, partnerships, and the strengthening of national agricultural research and extension systems.
IRRI’s goals contribute to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger and ensure environmental sustainability. IRRI is also part of the Consultative Group on International Agriculture (CGIAR).
Dr Sangma is returning to the state Wednesday morning.