Scientists told to act as change agents

Meghalaya, July 29: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Radha Mohan Singh appealed scientists here to act as change agents and help in bringing about economic development of the farmers of the region.

I appeal to all the scientists here to act as change agents and help in bringing about economic development of the farmers of the region, Singh said while visiting the ICAR Complex here.

He later interacted with farmers and artisans.

The minister also said that the activities and initiative of ICAR and the farmers of the region should be documented and showcased so that they become role model for the entire country.

Reiterating the Centres plan to double the income of farmers by 2022, the Union minister exhorted officials to assist and advise farmers on ways to improve farming techniques and raise their income.

He also advised farmers and the institute not only to be confined to cultivation of crops but also to invest themselves to allied sectors like horticulture, fisheries and beekeeping among others to achieve the 2022 objective.

Expressing satisfaction on the works rendered by the ICAR, the minister stressed on the need to introduce and implement micro irrigation and integrated farming.

The minister also reviewed the implementation of Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan (KKA) in Ri Bhoi district, which is one of the 112 districts where the Centre has launched the programme, covering 25 villages in each district with population of more than 1,000.

Later in the day, while launching the Meghalaya Milk Mission today, Singh said the mission will facilitate in achieving the Centres goal of doubling farmers income by 2022 through promotion of milk business in the state.

The Mission is expected to benefit about 2000 farmers over the next four years besides checking the absence of organised marketing channels in the dairy sector in Meghalaya.

The Union Minister also announced Rs 215 crore sanctioned through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for which the amount will be utilised for various training under dairy farm, chilling centre and purchase of milch animals.

Informing that there are cooperatives in only 97 villages out of the 6,449 villages of Meghalaya, the minister said there can be cooperative societies in 60 per cent of the total villages.

He said that cooperatives can play an important role in the development of all sectors.