A three-day Central Agricultural University (CAU) Regional Agri Fair 2023-24 held under the theme, “North East India Farmers Conclave: Igniting Agri Revolution” at State Agri Expo, 4th Mile, Chümoukedima culminated Thursday. Speaking at the valedictory ceremony as the chief guest, CAU Imphal Chancellor, Professor Pradeep Kumar Joshi expressed happiness over the robust attendance and congratulated all the scientists, scholars and students for the successful fair.
He said the fair served as a dynamic platform for collaboration and innovation, bringing together scientists, farmers, development departments, educational institutions, input dealers, and agri-preneurs.
Over the past three days, Professor Joshi said the fair witnessed a convergence of ideas, meaningful discussion, forged collaborations, and encouraged innovations. He said the regional agricultural fair was not merely an event but a celebration of the ongoing agri revolution in north east India.
Professor Joshi noted that the discussions, collaborations, and innovations witnessed during the three days has potentials to transform and shape the agricultural landscape of the north east region thus laying the groundwork for a sustainable and prosperous future for agriculture in the region.
The chancellor also dwelled on the significance of advanced technologies such as drones, remote sensing, and mobile-based technologies for unique terrain and farming systems of north east India, further praising CAU’s efforts in exploring these technologies. He then urged the university to seek more cooperation with like-minded institutions.
Professor Joshi pointed the participation of students and faculty with international exposure, showcasing their gained knowledge, as a notable aspect of the fair. He suggested the establishment of a knowledge-sharing center and formation of a committee to identify areas where individuals with international exposure could serve as trainers for others.
Meanwhile, addressing the gathering as the guest of honour, former DDG (Agril Extension), ICAR, New Delhi, Dr. Puranjan Das, expressed his appreciation for the unique experiences gained during the fair.
Dr. Das highlighted the significance of the first-time experience of participating in a students’ enclave alongside farmers and farmer organizations. He emphasized the valuable opportunity for direct feedback from young and enthusiastic students, acknowledging the amazing ideas presented for the transformation of educational systems.
He applauded the visionary efforts of the vice chancellor and the entire team at CAU, commending their commendable initiatives. He also drew attention to the impressive standing CAU has achieved as the first institution conceptualized as a regional agricultural university, and acknowledged that CAU, unlike other institutions, does not confine itself to classroom teaching but actively involves common people, including farmers and their organizations, as well as students, to gather direct feedback.
In his short speech, CAU Imphal, vice chancellor, Dr. Anupam Mishra informed that CAU has 13 campuses in the north east with faculty from 23 states. He said CAU was a symbol of the rich diversity of the country, ranked 13 among the Agri University in India by ICAR and was the first of its kind in Nagaland.
Dr. Mishra said the fair started with an objective to bring farmers, experts and agripreneurs under one platform and push bio-economy in the region. He added that the sessions included greater interest in application of modern technology, discussed ways and means of using waste into useful stuff as well as marketing aspects.
During report presentation of regional agri fair, director and organising secretary, Directorate of Extension Education, CAU, Imphal, Professor PH. Ranjit Sharma informed that the subjects discussed during the technical sessions were recommendations: Eco tourism in tea gardens, Use of insects as animal feed; Value addition in the mushroom farming; New tech like AI, robotics, tools for future education; Concept of telemedicine in veterinary sector; Need to facilitate corporate; Need for teachers training.
Earlier addressing the CAU Regional Agri Fair 2023-24 farmers input distribution programme as the special guest, advisor, agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan stressed on how agriculture is now facing the brunt of climate change. He pointed out that all the researchers, farmers, scientists, academics, government agencies have to come together to address and face these challenges.
“It is our task where we have to put our heads together, evolve strategies in order to compact the challenges of climate change and climate variability,” said Yanthan.
He also pointed out that the agriculture system in the north east, which was mostly shifting cultivation, was not feasible anymore. Therefore, he suggested finding an alternative farming system, different applicable cropping system and varieties which are suitable to local conditions.
He further stressed that the concerned departments like Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Agri and allied sector have to collaborate to share knowledge, information, experiences and see what the best formula was and how to adapt and mitigate the process of climate change.