SHILLONG: Meghalaya Governor, Phagu Chauhan, inaugurated a two-day national conference on “rebooting hill farming for future sustainability and livelihood” at the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Ri Bhoi District, on Thursday in the presence of Dr. V. K. Mishra, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Dr. Uttam C. Sharma, Vice President, International Commission on Water Resources Systems, and Dr. K. M. Bujarbaruah, Former Vice Chancellor, Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat.
The conference was organized by the Indian Association of Hill Farming and the ICAR Research Complex for the NEH Region, Umiam, as part of celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the Institute. Speaking on the occasion, Phagu Chuhan stressed the need for conservation of forest, water and land resources for the overall and sustainable development of the tribes of the north-east region.
Pointing out that the North East Region has a large amount of biomass, he stressed the need to adopt organic and natural farming, keeping in mind the balance between food security and the environment. He also said that emphasis should be laid on the development of local livestock, especially local breeds of cow, which is a main pillar of the natural farming principle. Citing the example of deficient rainfall in Meghalaya and other parts of the country, the Governor said that concerted efforts should be made in water conservation, especially through rainwater harvesting and in-situ soil moisture conservation, so that we can utilize part of the vast water resources for the benefit of the farming community of the region. On the occasion, the Governor released a souvenir cum Book of abstracts and gave away the Indian Association of Hill Farming Awards (IAHF). The IAHF Fellow Awards were awarded to eight scientists. To mark the occasion, the governor also planted a tree sapling within the premises of the institute. Agricultural research managers, scientists, academicians, and young student researchers from different parts of the country took part in the conference, stated a press release.
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