Imphal, Jan 11: Speaker Yumnam Khemchand today said that Central Agricultural University, Iroishemba is playing an important role in modernisation of farm sector in the country.
He was speaking during the inauguration of CAU-Regional Agri Fair 2018-19 at College of Agriculture Sports Ground, Iroisemba, Imphal, Manipur. The fair organized on the theme Agripreneurship for Attracting Rural Youths to Agriculture by Central Agricultural University, is held for the fourth time in the State and will continue till the January 13 of this month.
Stating that food is the most important requirement of the human society, he said the need for production of sufficient quantity of food has always been prevalent in the society. He also said that agricultural scientists and researchers need frequent interaction with the farmers to make them aware of the importance of agricultural production.
He appealed to the students to come forward and contribute towards making our country self sufficient in food production rather than seeking jobs after completing their education.
Khemchand Singh also conferred the Dr. H K Jain CAU Award for Excellence in agricultural research in the NE States of India to Dr. Badal Bhattacharya, Principal Scientist, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. The award carries a Gold Medal and a Cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.
Y. Khemchand along with the dignitaries also released a souvenir, calendar 2019, kishan diary 2019, CAU newsletter and other publications of the University at the function. Paddy seeds were also distributed to selected farmers from North-east region.
Dr. S Ayappan, Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal and Dr. M Premjit Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal attended the inaugural function as president and guest of honour. Faculty members, students and farmers from North-east region attended the inaugural function.
The chief guest along with the dignitaries and guests inspected the exhibition stalls after the inauguration.
Innovative farmers and progressive farmers from different land-based departments, educational & research institutes, NGOs and SHGs of the region, KVKs, important input dealers and agri-preneurs are participating and showcasing their activities in the fair.
Altogether 52 stalls were opened in the fair. Farmers from Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Sikkim are taking part in the fair. Three KVKs of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam are also showcasing their technologies in the fair. (UNI)