CAU kicks off annual interface meeting

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 23 : College of Agriculture, Imphal, under Central Agriculture University, kicked off the annual Interface Meeting at CAU Iroisemba campus today.
Speaking as the chief guest at the event, CAU Vice Chancellor Professor M Premjit stressed on the importance of all the stakeholders concerned to work together to ensure success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for doubling the farmers' income by 2020.
Farmer Producer Companies (PPCs), Government Departments concerned, ICAR and CAU need to collaborate with one another and this meeting is of utmost importance in this regard, the VC explained, adding that  ICAR Director General has already recommended such meeting to be held every 6 months.
He continued that the university has 13 campuses in the 7 of the North East States and added that even if the meeting cannot be convened after every 6 months, it is held for 3 times every year.
Professor M Premjit said that the farmers of the North East States, including Manipur, are engaged in small and marginal form of agriculture and as such they cannot compete directly with the farmers of other advanced States or region.
Moreover, most of the North East States, except Assam, has been able to utilise proper irrigation techniques. Many of the States are also unable to procure quality seeds and planting materials. Until and unless these problems and issues are resolved, the farmers' income cannot be increased substantially, he opined.
On the other hand, Professor M Premjit said that special emphasis need to be given to rice production as it is the staple food of most of the North East States and explained that proper focus needs to be given to integrated farming as well.
College of Agriculture, CAU, Dean Professor Indira Sarangthem, ICAR Manipur Centre Joint Director Dr Narendra Prakash, CAU Director of Extension Professor Ratan Kumar Saha, Director of Instruction Dr S Basanta and College of Food Technology Dean Professor Y Jakendra were also present as presidium members.
Officials of the Agriculture, Horticulture, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Sericulture Departments, FPCs members and Progressive Farmers, CAU faculty members were also present at the interface meet.