Oilseed Kisan Mela held at ICAR Nagaland Centre

The Oilseed Kisan Mela cum National Seminar on “Sustainable Pathways for Scaling Oilseed Production in the Northeastern Region of India” was held on March 13 at ICAR Nagaland Centre, Medziphema. The programme was organised by ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, in collaboration with ICAR Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad.
Advisor for Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan, graced the event as chief guest and underscored the importance of oilseeds in ensuring food security and enhancing farmers’ incomes.
He urged farmers to expand oilseed cultivation, improve yields, strengthen market linkages, and stressed on soil health cards, improving jhum systems and promoting research and demonstrations for hilly areas.
Pro Vice Chancellor, School of Agricultural Sciences, NU, Dr. Dipak Sinha, encouraged farmers to adopt oilseed cultivation as a profitable option. Scientist at ICAR Nagaland Centre, Dr. Harendra Verma, spoke on bridging the gap in oilseed production in the state.
Principal Scientist at ICAR IIOR, Dr. Ramesh, emphasized maintaining soil health and advocated organic fertilizers over inorganic ones, while Dr. Md. A. Aziz Qureshi highlighted the scope of oilseed cultivation in Nagaland’s biodiverse landscape.
State Organizing Secretary from Assam, Krishna Kanta Bora, called for empowerment of Self Help Groups (SHGs) to generate income through oilseed cultivation. Director, National Research Centre on Mithun, Dr. Girish Patil S, pointed to the growing demand for edible oil in India and stressed the need to boost domestic production.
Altogether, 227 farmers participated in the mela along with representatives from Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs), state departments and scientists.