Department of Soil and Water Conservation, Government of Nagaland and Central Agriculture University (CAU), Imphal has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for transfer of technology on Bio Fertilizers and Bio Pesticide and Development of Industry Incubation Systems on January 12.
According to DIPR report, the MoA was signed in the office chamber of Agriculture Production Commissioner Nagaland, Y. Kikheto Sema, in the presence of K. Libanthung Lotha, commissioner and secretary, Soil and Water Conservation; Nungsangwapang, Additional Secretary, Agriculture; K. Zhekheto Awomi, Director, Soil and Water Conservation and K. Khekiho Shohe, State Nodal Officer for Soil Health Management, who were also the signatories of the agreement.
The APC in his introductory remark mentioned that in Nagaland 70 % of the population living in the rural areas depend on the agriculture and allied activities out of this 73% are engaged in jhum/shifting cultivation and 27% are engaged in settled farming.
The traditional way of cultivation i.e. jhum was not found to be economically viable and ecologically sustainable; therefore the Government of Nagaland is looking towards sustainable livelihood of our farmers, Kikheto said.
The state government is happy that the union government has sanctioned 2 BFPU and 10 units under consideration in this financial year. And in this regard, the state government is in need of experts for efficient implementation. The government is happy that the MoA is being signed for the same. The APC also conveyed gratitude to Vice Chancellor and thanked the S&WC department for taking the initiative.
Dr. S. Basanta Singh, Director of Research, CAU (Imphal), Manipur in his address mentioned the signing of MoA as a historic moment for both the parties as this was the first time an agreement was signed between the Central Agriculture University, Imphal and Government of Nagaland.
CAU-CPGSAS, Umiam, Prof. Dwipendra Thakuria, who is also the technical expert, gave a brief presentation on the (3) three technologies being transferred:
a) CAU Bioenhancer (A microbial consortium for Terrace and Valley Lands)
b) CAU JhumBioenhancer (A microbial consortium for mixed crops of Jhum Fields)
c) Um-Met: A Liquid bioformulation of a potential indigenous entomopathogensMetarhiziumanisopliae
Prof. Thakuria also appreciated the state government for taking initiative for setting up of Meteorological Observatories in all the district; setting up of Soil Testing Laboratories in all districts and also for promotion of organic farming in the state by setting up Bio Fertilizer production units in two districts and 10 more units under consideration for each districts. He also stated that the state will become a model of organic farming for the entire country.
He said that the University has spent a huge amount for development of technologies but since the State government is a non- profit organisation, the University has agreed to share the technologies in a nominal amount of rupees one lakh only per technology. The university at the same time requested the state government that since the MoA is going to benefit both the parties, some kind of funding can be provided to the University for creation for facilities such as bio pesticides or bio fertilisers production units for Research and Development programmes if there are any avenues.
It was agreed that the University and the State Government will coordinate and cooperate even for other programmes in the future for the benefit of the farmers in the state.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by Prof. Wricha Tyagi, Dean, CPGSAS, Umiam; presentation on Technology to be transferred by Prof. Dwipendra Thakuria, CAU-CPGSAS, Umiam; Production and Maintenance of Biofertilizer Production Unit by K. Khekiho Shohe, State Nodal Officer, Soil Health Mission, government of Nagaland.