Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 150
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 151
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Stress on 'smart' agriculture

Stress on 'smart' agriculture

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Feb 12, 2015   modified Modified on Feb 12, 2015
-The Telegraph

Guwahati: The Centre today asked Assam to tread the "lab-to-land" route to boost farm output and said an Indian agricultural research institute would be set up in the state.

Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh said Assam should make optimum use of its soil, which is of the highest quality, on the lines of Pusa (in Bihar where the research institute was incepted in 1905), to boost agricultural output.

"Assam has one of the finest soils in the country, just like Pusa, which was recognised during the British days and where the institute was set up. Therefore, we have decided that such as an institute will be set up here and have asked the state government to look for land," Singh said, on the inaugural day of the 2nd Assam International Agri-Horti Show here today.

IARI is the leading institution for agricultural research, education and extension in the country. The institute was shifted to New Delhi in 1936.

"Research needs to reach the farmlands and high-yielding variety seeds have to be provided to farmers through science. We are also working on a scheme on marketing to enable farmers to realise prices that are due. Besides, a detailed project report is also being prepared on setting up an agriculture tool bank in the districts," the Union minister said.

Emphasising water supply for all farmlands, Singh also said his ministry would provide soil health cards under a Rs 568-crore scheme on soil health management to 14 crore landholders of the country in three years.

"The cards will help farmers to know the amount of chemicals and fertilisers to be used while farming," he said.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi, in his speech, said "smart" agriculture, like smart cities, was the need of the hour.

"Agriculture, like cities, needs to be smart. Our priority is to adopt a holistic approach by improving the quality of groundwater, soil, bio-fertilisers and seeds. At the same time, farmers need to be equipped with the latest technology. Marketing and logistics such as cold chains are essential for implementing a 'farm-to-kitchen' approach," Gogoi said.

Besides, the chief minister said local conditions have to be considered before the Centre or the state comes out with schemes.

"Schemes must be made on the basis of the local conditions as opposed to a one-size-fits-all policy. But unfortunately, agriculture has not been given due importance in Assam. The funds have not come from the Centre," he said.

Gogoi said the state government would endeavour to increase farm productivity and farmers' income. "We will encourage farmers to go for double cropping or even triple cropping in a year," he said.

The agri-horti show at the College of Veterinary Science here features 425 stalls, including exhibitors from 12 countries and 25 multinational companies.

The state agriculture department is organising the show in association with Assam Agriculture University and Indian Chamber of Commerce.

State agriculture minister Rakibul Hussain said all the 219 block development offices of the state will have a room for the agriculture development officer and village-level extension worker so that farmers get easy access to them.

In 2014-15, the state had a surplus rice production of 6.3 lakh metric tonnes (MT) compared to 4.6 lakh MT in 2013-14.

Power tillers and tractors were also distributed among farmers at the show today.


The Telegraph, 11 February, 2015, http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150211/jsp/northeast/story_2752.jsp#.VNwK7y7xxpB


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close