Newmai News Network
Shillong, July 5: The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) Barapani Chapter, in collaboration with the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam in Meghalaya, hosted a pivotal Brainstorming Session titled “Positioning Northeast Agriculture Towards Amrit Kaal” today.
The event gathered prominent agricultural scientists, researchers, and policymakers to discuss strategies for aligning the region’s agricultural growth with the visionary goals of Amrit Kaal. Dr. K.M. Bujarbaruah, Vice President of NAAS, Former Deputy Director General (AS), ICAR, New Delhi, and Former Vice Chancellor of AAU, Jorhat, chaired the session and summarized the key insights and future directions for Northeast agriculture, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving the goals of Amrit Kaal.
Dr Bujarbaruah in his opening remarks emphasised that one of the basic objectives of the meeting is to see how best it is possible to use the Biodiversity of the region and convert it to Bio resources and in turn we can achieve a Bio economy.
Dr V. K. Mishra, Director of ICAR RC NEH and Convener of NAAS Barapani Chapter, delivered the welcome address where he expressed his happiness that this session is held at ICAR, Umiam when the Institute is celebrating its 50 th year of existence from Amrit Bhawan at Laban Shillong to Amrit Kaal.
A series of keynote lectures followed, featuring insights from distinguished experts in various fields of agriculture.
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Dr S.K. Barik, Professor at NEHU Shillong and Former Director of CSIR NBRI, Lucknow, presented on “Transforming Food Systems to Support Biodiversity,” highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in preserving biodiversity.
Dr A. Pattanayak, Former Director of ICAR IIAB, Ranchi, and ICAR VPKAS, Almora, discussed a “Strategic Roadmap for Crop Sector Growth in Northeast India: Aligning with Amrit Kaal Goals,” outlining strategies to boost crop productivity.
He also emphasised that with the prevailing situations more scientific work can be done on flood tolerant rice varieties and it is high time that we also look into the areas of animal dominance like the extensive growth of monkeys at places in Assam, which is hampering the growth of crop productivity.
Dr G. Kadirvel, Director of ICAR ATARI Zone VI, Guwahati, delivered an engaging lecture on “Agricultural Startups to Transform NE Agriculture to Meet Amrit Kaal Requirements,” focusing on the role of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Dr Anup Das, Director of ICAR RCER, Patna, spoke on “Exploring Organic & Natural Farming as Drivers of Green Economy,” emphasizing the potential of organic farming in driving sustainable economic growth.
The session also featured Dr N.H. Mohan, National Fellow and Principal Scientist at ICAR NRC on Pig, Guwahati, who discussed “Animal Agriculture of NE in Amrit Kaal,” focusing on improving livestock productivity and health.
The final keynote lecture by Dr S.K. Majhi, Head of ICAR CIFRI Regional Centre, Guwahati, on “Taking NE Fisheries towards Amrit Kaal,” explored opportunities and challenges in advancing the fisheries sector in Northeast India.
In his closing remarks chairman Dr K M Bujarbaruah mentioned that North East had missed the green revolution ‘Bus’ but now it is the time to lead the ‘Ever Green Revolution Bus’.
He mentioned that we should work in areas of seed self-sufficiency, it is high time that we should work towards water saving device technology, Conservation Agriculture and harvesting green energy.
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