Shillong, March 17: The ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya organized Krishi Unnati Mela, 2018 in collaboration with the Zonal Technology Management Unit (ZTMU) of the Institute today (17th March, 2018). On this occasion, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed 681 KVK’s through live telecasting reaching out to 7 lakhs progressive farmers, Agricultural Scientists & Directors of ICAR institutes.
The focal theme of the programme is “Drive to doubling farmers’ income”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed farmers at the Krishi Unnati Mela the objective of the event was to create awareness about the latest agriculture-related technological developments. Addressing the farmers, PM Modi said that that fairs like these play an important role in formation of ‘New India’.
He said that two set of pillars are involved in the ‘New India’ movement the scientist and the farmers’ where he expressed that such fairs should be organized in the far-flung areas like the North East Region where the farmers can get better exposure in order to contribute to the second “green revolution”. Praising Meghalaya’s progress among the states, PM Modi mentioned that Meghalaya has been conferred with a special award.
“The state of the cohort, the small area, has shown a great job. Farmers in Meghalaya have broken a five-year record of yields during the year 2015-16,” said PM Modi and urged the farmers of the region to strive for achieving the organic status. Krish Vigan Kendra (KVK) Ri Bhoi for the first time was awarded with the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Krishi Vigyan Protshahan Puraskar (National & Zonal) 2017.
The award was received by Dr. N. Prakash Director for ICAR RC for NEH Region and Dr. Mokidul Islam Senior Scientist and Head KVK Ri- Bhoi. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 2.25 lakh for purchase of office/farm equipments and for training of KVK staff.
The Meghalaya chapter of the Krishi Unnati Mela was organized with the objective to create awareness among the famers. ICAR NEH facilitated the live telecast of the Prime Minister’s address which was immediately translated and delivered in the local dialect for the benefit of the farmers. A day long programme was organized for the farmers of the region.
Dr S.K Das in-charge Director for ICAR RC for NEH Region addressed the inaugural session speaking on the occasion he said that the motive of the programme was to create awareness among the farmers and to design the future research plans. A brief description about the programme and the activities of the institute was highlighted by Dr Arnab Sen Principal Scientist and Head Animal Health and in-charge Zonal Technology Management Unit (ZTMU).
Addressing the gathering he said that the challenges in the region are paramount but the institute aims to work towards the vision of the government to double the farmers’ income by 2022. The keynote address was given by George B. Lyngdoh MLA Ri- Bhoi district, addressing the farmers he said the region should work towards organic farming in collaboration with the ICAR so that hurdles on the way of achieving the organic status can be removed.
The BJP state President of Meghalaya Mr Shibun Lyngdoh was the special guest for the occasion where he highlighted the importance of organic farming and maintaining a healthy soil. He said that Meghalaya should aim for becoming an organic state and the soil health of the region should be improved. The vote of thanks was given by Dr R Laha who thanked the farmers for their cooperation. The programme came to an end with the Farmers- Scientist interaction.
