Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, October 27 2021: As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shobha Karandlaje inaugurated a Farmers' Field Day cum input distribution programme under STC at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region Manipur Centre, today.

In her address as chief guest, Shobha Karandlaje appreciated the performance of central institutes like ICAR, CAU and the State Government for their coordinated efforts to solve the agricultural problems of the farmers.

Shobha Karandlaje also encouraged North Eastern States including Manipur farmers to adopt oil palm cultivation to meet the demand for oil palm in India.

She also asserted that the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has increased the budget allocation of the agricultural sector and added that India is leading in the export of agricultural products.

Further, she mentioned the welfare schemes and financial assistance provided to farmers and urged them to avail the benefits of the schemes.

                         Union MoS urges farmers to adopt oil palm cultivation

Through State Governments, the Centre is providing infrastructural and financial support to Departments, farmers, SHGs and FPOs, the MoS said and encouraged the farmers to take benefits of KCC and increase the farm income.

She informed the gathering about the quantum jump in allocation of budget in agriculture and also underlined the financial assistance extended to the farmers under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.

Shobha Karandlaje then encouraged the farmers to become self-reliant in food grains production by adopting organic farming, integrated farming system, bee keeping, oil palm, etc.

During the programme, critical inputs like improved seeds, bee box, ducklings, chicks, garden tool kits, fingerlings, winter vegetable seed kits, fish feed, etc.

were also distributed by the Minister to over 300 farmers from various districts.

She also released four ICAR publications viz.

one institute profile "ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre � At a Glance", one book entitled "Potential Crops of North East India � Prospects and Challenges" and two technical bulletins entitled "Improved Production Technologies of Major Pulse Crops Suitable for North Eastern Hill Region", and "Improved Package of Practices of Onion for Manipur".

Three new processed products of one ABI Agripreneur M/s Vedam Agro Enterprise were also launched by the Minister.

She later interacted with the farmers and women agripreneurs.

Dr Anupam Mishra, Vice-Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal; M Joy Singh, Commissioner of Agriculture; Dr I Meghachandra Singh, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region Manipur Centre and Kh Nabakumar Singh, Member of General Body, ICAR also attended the programme.

Directors of Line Departments, officials of CAU, ICM, MOMA, NABARD, NGOS, FPOs, etc.

also participated in the said event.

At least 11 women agripreneurs of ICAR-Agribusiness Incubation Centre showcased their products in the exhibition.