Arunachal: P D Sona inaugurates regional Agriculture Fair
Altogether 50 stalls are opened and More than 450 farmers are participating in the fair
Pasighat
The Central Agriculture University regional Agri Fair 2019-20 started at the playground of College of Horticulture & Forestry, Pasighat here in East Siang District today with huge turn up and participation of farmers from Arunachal Pradesh and other northeast states.
The northeast regional level Agriculture Fair was inaugurated by Arunachal State Legislative Speaker, Pasang D. Sona among the presence of dignitaries from Central Agriculture University, Imphal Vice Chancellor and many others from across the country. The theme of the fair is ‘Ecosystem Approach for Sustainable Agriculture’. The fair is held for the 13th times in this CHF, Pasighat and it will continue till 13th November. Farmer Science Congress will also be conducted for the 2nd time, informed college sources and the agri fair is sponsored by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GOI, New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest, Pasang D. Sona stressed that increasing food production in India particularly in northeast region both for increasing the per capita consumption as well as the farmers income is needed to be the food surplus region. He said that Central Agricultural University, Imphal have a very important role to play in Scientific Agriculture and providing the technical know how especially regarding organic agriculture and market linkages to the farmers. He appealed CAU to also focus on temperate Agriculture as Arunachal has a vast area under temperate zone.
President of the occasion, Prof. M. Premjit Singh, Vice-Chancellor, CAU, Imphal said that the integrated farming system which has been practiced since ancient times in NE region have to be made more scientific. He said that in order to double farmers income by 2022 introduction of rainwater harvesting (Jalkun), participatory quality seed production, primary processing unit in villages, cattle based farming, farm mechanization, etc will play a significant role. He also said NE region can compete with other regions of India by focusing on their strength like cultivation of turmeric, king chilli, birds eye chilli, kiwi fruit, pineapple, tea, large cardamom, aromatic rice, indigenous fish culture like Pengba (Osteobramabelangeri) of Manipur etc.
At the inaugural function, chief guest ShriPasang D. Sonaalong with the dignitaries also released a souvenir, Kishan Diary, Farm Magazine, CAU Newsletter and other publications of the University at the function. Litchi seedlings were also distributed to selected farmers from North-East region.
Faculty members, students and farmers from North-East region attended the inaugural function. The chief guest along with the dignitaries and guests inspected the exhibition stalls after the inauguration.
Innovative farmers & Progressive farmers from different land-based Departments, Educational & Research Institutes, NGOs and SHGs of the region, KVKs, important input dealers and agri-entrepreneurs are participating and showcasing their activities in the fair.
Altogether 50 stalls are opened in the fair. More than 450 farmers are participating including farmers from Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Sikkim, brought by the constituent colleges of the University, are taking part in the fair.
Five interaction programmes including Farmer Scientist interaction, quiz competition for farmers, dog show, baby show etc. will also be conducted.
