The newly introduced crops included — three rice varieties, RC Maniphou 14, RC Maniphou 15 and RC Maniphou 16; two maize varieties introduced for the first time in Manipur, RC Manichujak 1 and RC Manichujak 2; two varieties of Perilla introduced for the first time in the country, RC Manithoiding 1 and RC Manithoiding 2, and a variety of Brinjal, RC Manikhamen 1.
TFM Desk
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Manipur Centre on Tuesday introduced eight different varieties of crops during the inaugural session of the national virtual workshop on the topic — Potential Crops of North East India: Prospects and Challenges.
The newly introduced crops included — three rice varieties, RC Maniphou 14, RC Maniphou 15 and RC Maniphou 16; two maize varieties introduced for the first time in Manipur, RC Manichujak 1 and RC Manichujak 2; two varieties of Perilla introduced for the first time in the country, RC Manithoiding 1 and RC Manithoiding 2, and a variety of Brinjal, RC Manikhamen 1.
Agricultural inputs were also virtually distributed to about 1,000 farmers, including 10 tonnes of certified seeds of RC Maniphou-13 provided by the State Agriculture Department, as per a release by DIPR.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, chief minister N Biren Singh said that the government continues to address the key challenges of agriculture in the state and the Northeast region, including low productivity, small holdings, under utilization of irrigation potential and inadequate infrastructure along the supply chain.
CM Biren said that agriculture continues to be the mainstay for the majority of the population in Manipur and the NE region, which is endowed with diverse agro-climatic conditions with varied soil types and abundant rainfall. As a result, there is huge potential for promising agricultural and horticultural produce and value-added products that can be marketed within the country and abroad, he added.
Stating that there is a changing demand for not only more quantity, but food with quality, nutrition and taste, the chief minister said that the answer to these demands lies in crop diversification and use of new technology. Towards this end, he said, ICAR Manipur Centre, which was established in 1975, has been rendering valuable services to the state. It had been providing regular advisories, weather data and forecasts for the benefit of the farmers, the chief minister said and added that ICAR had also supported the formulation of state action plans and strategies during COVID-19 pandemics, floods and droughts in collaboration with various state government departments.
Maintaining that the NE region has many more potential crops, horticultural and vegetable plants, which need to be studied and commercialized as high value organic and nutritious food, he expressed hope that ICAR would explore further on the rich natural resources available for the benefit of the farmers.
Speaking at the occasion, Agriculture minister O. Lukhoi Singh said that the State Agriculture Department is working along with ICAR with its full scientific and technical support. In the state government’s strategy for self-sustained agriculture through double cropping, production of 9 lakh MT of rice is being targeted against the present production of 5.10 lakh MT by increasing the seed replacement rate from the existing 20% to 60%. The seed distribution programme is also a part of the strategy, he added.
With new varieties of rice coming up from ICAR, he also expressed hope that the target production of rice would be achieved within five years in the State. Minister Lukhoi also urged the central government to explore the possibilities of increasing manpower in ICAR Manipur Centre.
He also appreciated the ICAR for collaborating with the State Agriculture Department in proper distribution of the high yielding variety of rice seeds particularly RC Maniphou-13 which had the highest demand by the farmers in the state.
Commissioner (Agriculture) M. Joy Singh said that the state government had constituted a sub-committee for enhancement of rice production in Manipur. After rounds of discussions, the sub-committee had made recommendations like increase in seed replacement rate, increase of cropping intensity, enhancement of irrigation facilities, adoption of more intensive cultivation practices, maintaining soil health, providing judicious soil nutrients, facilitation of credit finance crop insurance, marketing and creation of rural storage infrastructures, farm mechanization etc. for increase in rice production.
He also exuded confidence that the workshop would make meaningful recommendations to transform the agriculture sector for the welfare of Manipur, in particular, and for the region in general. The State Agriculture Department would definitely like to make use of the outcome of the workshop, he added.
Agriculture minister O. Lukhoi Singh and commissioner (Agriculture) M. Joy Singh were also seated with the chief minister as guests of honour, the release added.
Among others, Dr. S.K. Chaudhari, deputy director general (NRM), ICAR, New Delhi, Dr. V.K. Mishra, director, ICAR RC-NEH Region, Meghalaya, Dr. A.K. Tripathi, director, ICAR-ATARI, Megahlaya, Dr. Lakshmi Kant, director, Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (VPKAS), Uttarakhand and Dr. Hanuman Lal Raiger, co-ordinator, AICRN on Potential Crops, New Delhi also attended the workshop.