Mizo CM urges scientists to tap forest resources

Aizawl, Feb 7(UNI) Chief minister Zoramthanga today urged agricultural scientists to help promote agro-forest-based economy in the Northeast states, particularly those having vast forest resources such as Mizoram.

Inaugurating the North East Agriculture Fair 2007-2008, hosted by College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Selesih here, the chief minister asserted that Mizoram has a huge area of uncultivated land and urged the agricultural scientists to help make Mizoram economically self sufficient through agriculture and forest resources.

He expressed hope that the educated youths can make surplus production enough for exports by improving and intensifying the unused lands through modern technologies. He emphasised that privatisation of these and use of tractors or power tillers would best serve towards producing mass production.

Zoramthanga pointed out that his government has already selected commercial crops like grapes, passion fruit and red oil palm for the large scale production, saying that the soil of Mizoram is suitable for any kinds of crops. He also stated that the central government has allowed air transport subsidy for exporting the agricultural products of Mizoram.

Zoramthanga also asserted that Mizoram and other NE states have huge bamboo resources which if properly tapped could the economy of the region to a great extent.

National Seminar on Integrated Farming Systems Relevant of North East Region is also being held as part of the fair.

In this agricultural fair, various departments under the central agricultural universities are exhibiting different items.

Sponsored by the ministry of agriculture, the fair-cum-seminar aims at showcasing the recent development in agriculture and allied sectors to the people of the Northeast particularly the farming community.

A platform for transfer of technologies and better understanding as well as solutions of problems associated with agriculture in the region will be provided by the fair, organisers said.

The NE Agri-Fair is attended by representatives from agriculture&allied departments, farming communities, NGOs, research agencies, universities and various developmental and financing agencies.

UNI ZS LL RN1518