SHILLONG, Jan 9 : Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday emphasised the need for developing crop varieties with longer shelf life, improved
logistics and strengthening the lab-to-land approach.
Speaking at the golden jubilee and farmers’ expo 2025 at the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Chouhan praised the potential of Meghalaya and the Northeast to become a hub for fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants.
“ICAR must focus on increasing the shelf life of crops and ensuring they reach consumers in the best condition. The transition of science from the lab to the field must be faster to benefit farmers directly. Natural farming, innovative technologies, and the unique potential of crops like bamboo, honey, and mushrooms must be leveraged to uplift rural livelihoods,” the Union Minister added.
Commending the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and assured continued support to Meghalaya, Chauhan reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts between ICAR, agricultural universities, and government departments to chart a roadmap for sustainable agricultural growth in the region.
Chouhan also emphasised that Meghalaya’s biodiversity is a wealth to the region and added a roadmap to be worked out tirelessly.
“There is a necessity for better coordination among ICAR institutes, agricultural universities, KVKs, and state departments. The region has different agro climatic zones, which require a combined effort of several departments, particularly for the development of a logistic hub, processing, value addition, and pricing of the products,” the Union Minister said.
President Droupadi Murmu, who cancelled her visit to the State to inaugurate the golden jubilee celebrations of ICAR for North-Eastern Hills Region due to bad weather, addressed the occasion through a recorded speech.
Murmu congratulated the Institute for 50 years of unparalleled service and dedication and commented that ICAR has developed hundreds of varieties of crops, livestock, and climate-resilient technologies suited to the agroclimatic conditions of the region that help to enhance food security and livelihood security of the region.
The President said that the production of food grain and horticultural crops has increased by 30 per cent and 40 percent respectively, over a decade.
Speaking on the significance of agri-based enterprises, Murmu said that agri-based enterprises and allied sectors have been instrumental in generating livelihoods and attracting youth to agriculture in the region. This has led to an increase of 25 per cent in Agri-entrepreneurs among youth in the last 5 years.
The president also exclaimed that there is a need for documentation and validation of indigenous resources, germplasm conservation, and pairing local knowledge with modern technologies.
(UNI)
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