Taking note of the plight of farmers in Meghalaya and other North East states, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar visited the ICAR Research Complex at Umiam, Ri-Bhoi, today.
During the day Tomar also interacted with progressive farmers at the Central Agricultural University College of postgraduate studies and also inaugurated the auditorium of the constituent college.
In the first visit to ICAR, the Union Minister informed that temporary status employees who have recently received permanent status are because of the efforts put in by the Indian government.
Meanwhile, in the interactive session held at the CAU, the farmers informed the Union Minister that ICAR, KVKs and various other government agencies and schemes have led to an incremental increase in their income.
Further, the minister and the dignitaries visited the exhibition stalls and participated in seed distribution, after which the inauguration of the new auditorium of the CAU college was also held.
Addressing the gathering, Tomar said that the state and the central governments through their various welfare schemes and programmes have been able to change the trajectory of the agriculture community.
He also mentioned that the presence of students from 19 different states at the college is an excellent example of inclination of Indian youth towards agriculture, adding that the North East region can contribute immensely to agriculture as this sector is the backbone of the Indian economy.