Interface between research institutions and agri & allied departments encouraged

May 31, 2023 20 Views No Comment

Medziphema, May 31 (MExN): The School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS), Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus conducted the first ever coordination meeting-cum-workshop of agriculture & allied departments/institutions in Nagaland on May 30.

The meeting was organised by Research & Extension Cell (REC), SAS, NU, spearheaded by Prof N Tiameren Ao, stated a press release received here.

Mhathung Yanthan, MLA & Advisor for Agriculture, Nagaland graced the inaugural programme as the special guest. In his address, Mhathung Yanthan expressed appreciation for the much-needed coordination meeting organised by REC, SAS and said ‘this was what he was striving for since the last five years.’

He opined that this interface between research institutions and agri & allied departments was the missing link and encouraged the participants to build strong links and relationships through more of such meetings on a regular basis.

Such consultative workshops/conclaves will help to identify gaps and bring about viable solutions which will benefit the farmers and the state, he stated.

‘Farming community is facing huge challenges such as climate change and it is the responsibility of all concerned to address the challenges, and to evolve strategies and solutions so that different dynamics and local situations can become more productive and ensure that the production system is in consonance with conservative measures,’ he observed.

The advisor added that the need of the hour is to bring about change in cropping patterns in line with scientific and improved practices and to see that variety of crops suitable for the state, which is also climate resilient is included.

He urged the participants to make agriculture attractive by focusing on farming as a business model and an enterprise and to help farmers develop the mindset of an entrepreneur.

The advisor also reiterated that he will create a platform so that all the concerned departments and institutions will be able to interact as working in isolation cannot bring any effectiveness or beneficial results. He emphasized on the need for creation of more infrastructure for post-harvest produce which would be location specific and monitored properly and to create better marketing facilities and channels.

A compendium comprising of abstracts and recommendations of all research work done in SAS from 2016 to 2022 was also released by Mhathung Yanthan.

In the coordination-cum-workshop meeting, presentations of the various activities and thrust areas of the state departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Land Resources, Soil & Water Conservation and Veterinary & AH as well as the various departments of School of Agricultural Sciences was highlighted. It was followed by discussions on the modalities of collaborations on diverse aspects between the state departments and institutions so that through such alliances and research, viable solutions will be effectively brought about.

Altogether 153 participants from various state departments, ICAR, KVKs, faculty of SAS and PhD research scholars of SAS attended the meeting.