Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has stressed on the need to adopt new technologies in farming to help raise the income of farmers.
Speaking at the ‘North East Krishi Kumbha – 2023’ at the ICAR-NER here, Tomar said, “With new age, there is a need to adapt to new technologies. Ensuring these technologies reach every farmer in India, in Meghalaya and help raise their income is the need of the hour.”
He said farmers and farming should always be treated with honour as a farmer not only supports his family but also contributes to the agricultural economy of the country and our government’s priority has always been to ensure prosperity of farmers and development of agriculture.
The minister said northeast is home to different cultures. It is rich in natural resources and is blessed with a good climate. Northeast is the heaven of our country and Meghalaya’s geographical scenario is such that “we can develop it if we try with all our efforts.” “I am happy that northeast is home to organic farming. In the past days, the maximum share of agricultural exports of organic products has been from the northeast region,” he said.
He further said that northeast, despite its challenges, can utilize its resources and contribute in livelihood generation, natural farming and much more.
During his visit, the minister also inaugurated the administrative cum academic block office of the College of Agriculture at Kyrdemkulai and the Girls Hostel of the College.
However, he had to face protests with members of the Khasi Student Union (KSU) shouting slogans and carrying placards criticising the government’s decision to do away with a proposal to set up the Central Agriculture University in Meghalaya. They also defaced the signboard of the College, which is affiliated to the Imphal-based Central Agriculture University.
The KSU maintained that the central government had, in 2010, proposed to set up an agricultural university in the state but then only set up a college.
