Tuber crops could solve future food crisis in Manipur

Imphal/December 16, 2013: As per the current trend of global alteration of environment, crop yield after 20 years from now will be significantly reduced and hence we should prepare for an alternative arrangement to tackle food problem likely to be encountered in the future.

This was stated by Dr AK Bijaya, associate professor, CAU, Iroishemba during the one day awareness programme held on the topic “Tuber crops based farming system for sustainable production and income generation” at Khonghampat Awang Leikai today. The programme was also attended by Dr N Iboton, dean, CAU, Professor Dr N Ram Singh, head of economics department, CAU and retired advocate Th Sanajaoba, who is president of EFC Khonghampat as chief guest, guest of honour and functional president respectively.

Giving key-note address of the programme, Dr AK Bijaya, who is also CAU in-charge of All India coordinated Research project on Tuber crops, further stated that global population has been increasing by the day and on the contrary farming area is decreasing thereby reducing crop yield. “Amidst the scenario, the changing global environment phenomenon has also significantly affected agricultural productions and hence we need to change our current food habit”, Bijaya stated.

Locally available Tuber crops like Mangra, Pan, U-Mangra and Haa etc. which grow easily in any soil contain high carbohydrates and these crops could be a replacement for rice, Bijaya said and adds that these crops are not easily affected by changing atmosphere.

While stating that Tuber crops generally does not require much water or affects production, Bijaya further said the CAU has been conducting research on Tuber crop since the year 2006. Developed countries like Japan had already produced fuel out of Tuber crops apart from using the crop in production of daily essential items.

In his speech during the programme, Dr N Ram Singh said “If Tuber crops could replace one out of two meals daily, it could certainly help in developing out economy”. Some states in India had already started giving Tuber crop an item of Mid-Day Meal scheme and this could be followed in Manipur too, Ram Singh added.

In his speech, Dr N Iboton Singh, Dean College of Agriculture has regretted  that there has been no arrangement for providing yearlong irrigation facilities to 1.5 lakhs Paris of agricultural land in the state and added that agricultural cultivation in Manipur is entirely dependent on the blessings of the almighty.

While stating that it is not an easy task to provide enough food for state’s population of 30 lakhs, Iboton stressed the need to give more emphasis on sustainable agricultural production.

During the technical session of the programme, Dr. Kh Ibohal, assistant Professor, CAU delivered a lecture on the topic ‘Protection of Tuber crops from biotic crest” while subject matter specialist of the KVK Imphal East S Mosibala talked on the subject ‘Value added products of Tuber crops”. Dr Th Ranadhir of the CAU also spoke on the topic “Role of Tuber crops in successful management of piggery”.

Source: NAHAROLGI THOUDANG NEWS

Training on Commodity Futures Market at College of Agriculture

IMPHAL/Dec 6: a two-day training programme on 'Commodity Futures Market' organised by Directorate of Extension Education, Central Agricultural University (CAU) commenced from today at the Assembly Hall of College of Agriculture, CAU.

The training programme inauguration was held with the attendance of Director (Research) CAU Dr M Rohinikumar Singh, College of Agriculture Dean Dr N Iboton Singh, Assistant Managing Director of Ahmedabad-based National Multi-Commodity Exchange of India Ltd Dinesh Shukla and CAU's Director of Extension Education Dr M Premjit Singh as the presidium members.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr N Iboton suggested that along with conducting such training programmes in order to facilitating marketing of farmers' produce the farmer community should consult subject experts to store and streamline marketing of farm goods in a profitable manner.

During the technical session, Dinesh Shukla elaborated on 'Evolution of Commodity Derivative Market in India', Community Derivative Contract', 'Market Operations & Risk Management' and 'Regulatory Environment in India' along with a detailed presentation on a documentary about future marketing entitled 'Kal ki Soch', while Prof Dr N Ram Singh presented a paper on 'Problems & Prospects of Futures Market in NEH Region'.

Vaccination of cattle by College of Agriculture

Under its annual Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) programme, Central Agricultural University (CAU), Iroisemba conducted a mass vaccination of cattle at Imphal East district's Pungdongbam under Lamlai AC on Monday.

Speaking to media one the sideline of the vaccination program, Asst. Prof. Dr Th Ranadhir Singh, Department of Animal Science, said that around 300 cattle including 100 pigs were vaccinated to protect from outbreak of any epidemic. The vaccine would remain effected for 6 months.

Earlier, a team of the students and university authority have administered de-worm vaccines to the cattle in the area.

Urgent need to increase cattle in the state

The College of Agriculture, Imphal speaks on the immediate need to increase number of cattle in the state. Dr. N Iboton Singh, Dean was addressing on the occasion of the vaccination programme held by RAWE girl students at Pungdongbam in Imphal East district of Manipur. The current vaccination programme was aimed at protecting domestic cattle like cow and pig from the foot and mouth diseases. More than 300 cattles were vaccinated during the programme.

News from Naharolgi Thoudang daily published on 13 November, 2012

Plan to rise mustard oil during drought season

Imphal/Oct 4: A one-day sensitization workshop on the topic 'Augmenting rape-seed-mustard production as strategic contingent plan for drought-like situation in Manipur' was organised by Directorate of Extension Education, Central Agricultural university at the CAU Assembly Hall on Wednesday.

As chief guest of the workshop's inaugural programme, Dean of College of Agriculture Dr N Iboton Singh expressed that even though rainfall inadequacy during June-July months, the peak paddy plantation period, caused anxiety to the farmers late onset of seasonal rainfall in September provided some relief to the farmer community.

Noting that late arrival of the monsoon rain would affect paddy yield in many part of the State's cultivation area, Dr Iboton strongly advocated plantation of rape-seeds soon after harvest of paddy plants to supplement income of the farmers.

Informing that the previous season had yielded about 700 to 1400 kgs of common mustard seeds, he called upon the farmers to grow Ragini variety of mustard seeds to enhance quantity of harvest.

Dr Iboton also prevailed upon the farmers to consult subject experts prior to growing Ragini variety as the new variety not only require timely plantation but the soil need to be tested to check its suitability.

He further conveyed to the farmers that they could use water pumps available at the disposal of CAU by bearing the fuel expenses.

Speaking at the occasion, Director of Research, CAU Dr M Rohinikumar Singh said that in the previous season rape-seeds cultivation was taken up at about 500 paris of land.

He exuded confidence that cultivation of the new variety would be carried out on a wider scale this time around.

During the technical session, Prof (Agronomy) Dr L Nabachandra Singh deliberated on 'Agro-techniques of zero tillage rapeseed mustard cultivation'; KVK, Andro's SMS (Agronomy) Nandini Chongtham on 'Zero tillage cultivation of rapeseed-mustard : A Practical experience'; Junior Scientist Dr Th Renuka Devi on 'Scientific cultivation of adapted varieties of mustard for higher productivity'; KVK, Andro's SMS (Plant Protection) Dr Th Robindro Singh on 'IPM in rapeseed mustard'; and CAU (DEE) Dr M Premjit Singh on 'Bee pollination for increasing yield and quality of rapeseed'