Cultivation of Oilseeds and Pulses is Important for NE States- Radha Mohan Singh
Imphal
For the food and nutritional security of the NE States, it is important to promote the cultivation of oilseeds and pulses. This was stated by Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh was after inaugurating the academic block of College of Post-Graduate Studies, CAU, Imphal and also laying the foundation stone for the new College of Agriculture, Kyrdemkulai, Meghalaya today. He said that the scientists of CAU and ICAR should develop technologies and resources for organic agriculture in the North Eastern Region.
addressing the gathering on the occasion, He said “Central Agricultural University is a unique agricultural university in the country, which takes care of the agricultural education, research and extension needs of six of the North Eastern Hill States. The University has played a pivotal role in the overall development of the states under its jurisdiction.
The North East region of the country has a lot of potential for agriculture and human resource development. Keeping this in mind 6 new colleges under the jurisdiction of the Central Agricultural University have been planned, he said . He assured that, the other 2 colleges in Nagaland and Mizoram will be started soon.
“To empower the unemployed rural youths, the university has planned 6 vocational training centres and six multi-technology testing centers, and I hope that these centers for making rural youth employment generators rather than employment seekers, would be implemented soon” said the Union minister Radha Mohan Singh .
He advised to the people of North East, “for the food and nutritional security of the North Eastern States, it is important to promote the cultivation of oilseeds and pulses. The effort by Central Agricultural University to promote Rabi mustard under zero tillage is commendable. I hope that the university will play an important role in increasing the cropping area of different pulses like lentil and lathyrus”.
He also advise the scientists of CAU and ICAR to develop technologies and resources for organic agriculture in the North Eastern Region. Emphasis should be given on production of farm manure from all organic waste.
To make agriculture monetarily remunerative is a challenge in front of all of us. It is my expectation from all the teachers, scientists and students to accept this challenge and work towards fulfilling the interest of the Indian farmers.” he said
