‘More youths should be brought into agri sector’

SHILLONG: Agriculture is the core sector in Meghalaya and youths should be made aware of how to make it a profitable venture using technology through skill-development programmes, James Sangma has said.
The Dadenggre MLA, while addressing a gathering at the capacity building cum pre-kharif ‘Kisan Sammelan for Doubling Farmers’ Income’ last week, said more youths should be diverted to agriculture by creating awareness.
The programme was organised by KVK Ri Bhoi at ICAR, Umiam.
Scientists of ICAR and KVK, officers and about 300 farmers from 10 villages participated in the programme.
During the input support programme, about 1.5 quintals of maize seeds (variety RCM 76) and 200 Vanaraja poultry chicks were distributed among farmers. The scientists discussed about how to cultivate different crops in pre-kharif and kharif seasons, crop diversification and intensification, scientific livestock farming (poultry and pigs), organic farming water management, processing and value addition and marketing channels.
A.K Tripathi, nodal officer of KVKs, ICAR-Umiam, urged farmers to identify their strength in relation to agriculture and emphasise on it to increase their income.