SHILLONG: Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh said on Saturday the hard work of farmers in the North East should be supplemented with technology and scientists of ICAR can act as “change agents” in this regard.
Singh visited ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, and interacted with farmers from Ri Bhoi and scientists.
He said the research should be focused on “income-centric plans” even as he urged scientists to act as change agents and take their research to farmers’ fields which in turn, would help in increasing their income. He advised scientists and asked them to be in touch with farmers from adopted villages like their own family.
Diversification of agriculture with allied activities like horticulture, bee keeping, mushroom cultivation was also in focus.
Singh suggested that doubling of farmers’ income can be achieved through reduction in input cost, value addition and proper marketing of agricultural produce.
The minister was categorical when he said that the activities and initiative of ICAR and the farmers of the region should be documented and showcased so that these become role model for the entire country.
Reiterating the Centre’s aim to double the income of farmers by 2022, the minister exhorted officials to assist and advice farmers on ways to improve farming techniques.
The minister reviewed the implementation of Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan in Ri Bhoi, which is one of the 112 districts where the Centre has launched the programme, covering 25 villages in each district with population of more than 1,000.
He stressed the need to introduce and implement micro irrigation and integrated farming.
