SHILLONG: The three-day national seminar on “Smart Farming for Enhancing Input Use efficiency, Income and Environmental Security” came to an end on Thursday with a call to preserve the biodiversity of the Northeast where the next green revolution is expected to being in the country.
The national seminar witnessed brain storming sessions from more than 300 participants from all over India. Agricultural diversification, processing and value addition along with entrepreneurship development and smart marketing linkages played a key role in the technical session discussions.
Addressing the gathering Dr S V. Ngachan, President, IAHF and Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region said the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had a vision for the country, he aimed to double the farmers’ income by 2020 and the responsibility to achieve the target was entrusted to scientists of the nation. The seminar witnessed intellectual presentation by young scientists from all over the nation which gave a new direction to research a step ahead in achieving Prime Minister’s vision.
The chief Guest for the occasion, Pralad Singh Patel, Member of Parliament, while addressing the august gathering said that India was an agricultural nation and the next green revolution would begin from the North Eastern states.
“Northeast is rich in bio- diversity and is a hot spot for medicinal plants but the region faces a lot of limitations in terms of connectivity and hence it is not self sufficient. Hill farming is a challenge and the scientific technology should reach the farmers’ which is only possible if the scientist act as a median in the process,” he said.
He even urged the ICAR scientist to remove the gap between the farmer and the scientist. He further added that research in paper was of no use if it was not applied in the farmers’ field. The biodiversity of the region should be preserved and technology should be applied in the preservation process.
The three-day seminar held twelve technical sessions and various innovative recommendations came into light which was highlighted in the valedictory session. Value addition of products along with rain water harvesting will help in developing entrepreneurship which will ultimately give a boost to farmers’ income which is the aim of the institute.
The seminar was organized by Indian Association of Hill Farming in collaboration with ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region. Pralad Singh Patel, Member of Parliament, graced the valedictory session as the chief guest.