CAU will Host Training to Farmers for Development

Lamka, Nov 15 : Prof N Iboton, Dean, College of Agriculture, CAU urged the local farmers to turn up at CAU for availing material assistance and technical guidance. He also said that CAU has many things to offer. He also assured to host and train the farmers if they so turn up.

A  two-day seminar cum workshop on enhancing economic development in Singngat through human resources and management at Singngat sub-divisional hqtrs on November 13 and 14. Commander 27 Sector AR Brig VS Ranade said the seminar will reawaken development in one of the most remote and difficult areas of the region.

“This way gun-culture that is prevalent in the region will give way to agriculture,” he said.

The Brigadier also suggested to Dean of Central Agriculture University Prof N Iboton Singh to equip farmers of the region with scientific and material assistance.  “I promise that people of Singngat area will throng your office from tomorrow to the extent that it gives you a headache,” he said.

“Your headache will mean development for Singngat. And if Singngat develops, Manipur develops,” he affirmed.

Scientist and experts from Agriculture, Horticulture, Soil Conservation, Forest, Ecology Wing, Vety&AH, Sericulture and Fisheries departments discussed varied aspects for enhancing the local economy in addition setting up stalls at the seminar venue.

A press note of the Army said there is large potential of development in the NE region which remains unexploited. The deliberations by the top academia and experts as well as the holders of traditional knowledge would help in promoting the efforts for efficient and sustainable utilization of the bio-resources of the region and will help in the economic development of the region.

Meanwhile, a PIB (DW) release said ADC Churachandpur Thansang, SDO Singhat Rachel Guite and Joint Director of Agriculture Department Dr O Nobo Singh also attended the event that received overwhelming response from the local populace.

The 39 Assam Rifles of 27 Sector AR under the aegis of Red Shield Division organised this program.

Agriculture in the Region Needs Diversification- VC

NAGPUR: The less than a decade old Central Agriculture University (CAU) at Iroisemba, Imphal, in Manipur is making rapid strides in research. The university has already set noteworthy trends in changing the face of agriculture in six north-eastern states. It has also made a mark in agriculture education.

SN Puri, the oldest vice chancellor of any agriculture university, is from Mowad in Nagpur district. He has served two terms as VC of the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri Puri, and the Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani. Puri took over as CAU vice chancellor six years ago.

In an exclusive chat with TOI, Puri spoke on a range of issues

On making local rice disease free: North-eastern states grow a particular variety of rice (sticky Japanese type). It was prone to a disease called rice blast. CAU developed a blast resistant variety and released it four around four years back. Recently, it distributed the variety for cultivation to farmers. The university produced a stock of 1000 quintal of seeds through a seed development programme. This variety can be grown only in valleys and not hills. 30% of area is under this rice.

On pineapple in powder form: This could come like a tasty gift to ice cream lovers in general and ice cream manufacturers in particular. Pineapple grown in and around Shilong is transported in huge quantity to far off places to be consumed both as a fresh fruit as well as to make ice-cream. The university is trying to convert the pineapple into powder by retaining its aroma. Normally, on powdering, most fruits lose their aroma. The Agriculture Engineering College in Sikkim is working on the project.

On improving the shelf life of orchids: They droop very fast. Despite demand, orchids cannot be reached to florists across the country. The Agriculture Engineering College is developing a technology to increase the shelf life of the flower to at least four weeks by using a pneumatic packaging technology. To benefit local farmers, CAU plans to train high school pass students to run the machines. It will generate both employment and increase the profit margin for farmers.

On rain water harvesting & a unique power generation model: A village has donated 75 acre land to the university to demonstrate rain water harvesting for irrigation. Though the region gets as much as 80 inches of rain, most of the water flows down the hills. The university has developed a model to harvest almost all the rain water to be used for horticulture. The water is stored in a 3-acre pond at the bottom.

This water is then pulled back again by using generators which store electricity generated by moving a ponies. Ponies are found in large numbers in almost all north-eastern states. The model can be replicated well. Electricity boards are unable to supply power to these otherwise difficult terrain areas.

On fisheries: Fisheries is a difficult preposition due to lack of big lakes or ponds and less water. But CAU has developed a model of a series of ponds so that fish can be grown in different stages. The main varieties grown are rohu, katla, maral and pabda (the famous West Bengal fish).

On local Khasi mandarin : Orange orchards of local Khasi mandarin have of late been declining due to a virus disease. The university has developed a virus free material using grafting technique. It has distributed one lakh plants to about 30,000 farmers.

On agriculture education: Compared to many state agriculture universities students have fared well in selection into the field of research. Of the 143 junior research persons chosen for national institutions, 26 are from the university. Good performance can be credited to the complete residential teaching.

On diversification : Agriculture needs diversification in the region. We have already increased the area under horticulture and introduced many fruits like the kesar variety of mango, leechi, guava and pineapple. We have also used the local pig variety to convert it into a commercial venture. Local pigs (Yorkshire) are multiplied and piglets are sold to farmers for just Rs 800-900. In turn, farmers earn Rs 400 per animal. In poultry, the Giriraja variety has been developed. One unit has about 200 birds.

Source: Times of India

Agriculture Fair Kicks off at CAU

The Central Agricultural University invites you to the three day long Agriculture Fair 2011 which is open today (April 18) until April 20. The fair was officially opened today by  Shri  Gurbachan Jagat, H.E., the Governor of Manipur who graced the function as Chief Guest; Shri Rishang Keishing, Hon’ble MP (Rajya Sabha); Shri Thokchom Meinya, Hon’ble MP (Lok Sabha); Shri P. Parijat Singh, Hon’ble Minister (Agri/Lab & Emp/CAD), and Dr. S.N. Puri as President. The opening function was also graced by Smt. Kiran Jagat, First Lady of Manipur.

Welcoming the dignitaries, VIPs, media and farmers, Dr. S. N. Puri has said that the CAU Agri Fair is being organized for the first time in Manipur by the University. Last year, the Central Agricultural University had organized North East Agri Fair at Imphal for the first time. Looking to the excellent response from farming community and their demands to organized such fairs, this year, University is organizing the CAU Agri Fair on its own. The fair is a show-case of the achievements of the Central Agricultural University, ICAR Institutes and government Departments and also an occasion for the Agricultural Scientist to share their experiences and to get scientific input to develop and improve the agricultural technologies and an occasion to interact closely with the farmers of the state.

Dr. Puri also highlighted the achievements of the University. In his word, “The Central Agricultural University is on its path to help the farmers in the region to live a comfortable life and with a view to achieve this in Agriculture, allied disciplines; the University has as many as 134 Intramural Research Projects and need based location specific problems. 75 projects have been completed and 59 projects are ongoing as on today. In addition to internally funded research projects, there are 74 externally funded research projects. Out of which 41 projects are funded by ICAR while 33 projects funded by different funding agencies namely DBT, DST, DAC ICMR, etc.”

Shri Rishang Keishing requests all ministers of North East states to use the funds sanctioned by Centre to utilize in agriculture development. The University should test the land, the crops and cultivable crops must be available to farmers to make state Manipur developed in farm sector. Agriculture should provide direct employment to the people of Manipur.

However, Shri Thokchom Meinya points out that the state government should look into the unauthorized encroachers of University land.  Production of high yielding seeds, poultry and experimenting various crops requires large area of farm land which is not provided by the State government. Shri Meinya also stressed on developing technology since without technology, nothing is possible.

Shri P. Parijat recollects the various achievements of the University and thanked the scientists and faculties for  providing  many high yielding varieties of  grains.  He requested the  CAU scientists to  focus on producing crops which are favourable in less rainfall as Manipur is not advanced in farm irrigation.

His Excellency, the Governor of Manipur Shri Gurbachan Jagat encourages the work of Central Agricultural University in the fields of crop improvement, crop production, natural resource management, crop protection, livestock and fish husbandry, post-harvest technology and extension education.  He applauds the CAU Agri Fair 2011 as timely and appropriate in the quest for enhanced growth in the hill region not only for enhanced productivity, but also for improvement in sustainability, stability, equity, that will elevate the quality and value addition for making agriculture more remunerative and improve the quality of life of the farmers.

Today, a Souvenir was released by H.E. Shri Gurbachan Jagat; Farm magazine by Shri P.Parijat; CAU Research Newsletter by Shri Rishang Keishing and Compendium on KVKs and Extension Education by Shri Thokchom Meinya. Paddy seeds were distributed to selected five farmers and another five farmers were selected and provide one day old chicks on the occasion of the fair.

The three day long fair is having more than 50 stalls displaying various agro based products and latest technologies on farm.  Major events will be farmers- scientists’ interaction, flower show, dog show   and cultural events.

Read more at The Manipur Journal