Government adopting strategies to double farmers’ income: Agriculture Minister

Imphal, The 18^th April, 2018 (DIPR): Agriculture Minister V.Hangkhanlian today stated that for the development and accelerating the economic growth of the State, the Agriculture department has developed strategies for doubling the farmer’s income for sustainable development of agriculture.

The Minister was speaking as the Chief Guest at the inauguration of the one day State Level Workshop on ‘Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture for Doubling of Farmer’s Income’ jointly organised by Govt. of Manipur and Central Agriculture University, Imphal at the City Convention Centre, Palace Compound.

He further said that the State has bountiful of natural resources  with agriculture and horticulture being the main occupation of population dominated by small holdings characterised by low produce and low farm income. The Government and department is adopting usage of high yielding varieties of crops like rice, cereal and oil seeds crops both in the hills and valley. Industry based crops like sugarcane, cotton, mulberry trees have been introduced for enhancing the income of hill farmers.

Speaking on the potentials to increase rearing of livestock, the Minister stated that there is a huge gap between demand and supply of meat and its products. He also expressed optimism that the increasing demand for high –value organic products of the State will create enhanced economic growth and provide self employment of the farmers.

Emphasising on the importance of developing the original organic varieties of crops, Minister V.Hangkhanlian said that the traditional varieties have been replaced by the newer high yielding crops causing a change in the gene pool of the original crops. He encouraged the farmers to cultivate high value organic products of the state and worldwide demanded like Chakhao (Black Aromatic Rice) that will create not only local market but also even global market which will provide necessary movement and opportunity for the farmers to enhance income generation.

Ksh. Babhananda Singh, MP, Rajya Sabha, Prof. Premjit, Vice Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal,  and Dr. Suhel Akhtar, Additional Chief Secretary were the Guests of honour and President respectively.

Line departments, Directors, Progressive farmers, Scientists, Students from College of Agriculture and Foods processing Technology, Manipur, Guest from ICAR NEH Region, Lamphel and official from agriculture department were present in the function.