Fertile N-E to help plug food production gap

With the nation facing a downswing in agricultural production for the last two decades, North-East with its vast stretches of uncultivated...

With the nation facing a downswing in agricultural production for the last two decades, North-East with its vast stretches of uncultivated and fertile land is fast emerging as an alternative to fill in the huge gap for agricultural goods in the country.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research ICAR has prepared a draft approach paper on the region8217;s agricultural potential for the 11th Five Year Plan. 8216;8216;We need a paradigm shift from input-based agriculture to knowledge-based agriculture in the North-East,8217;8217; ICAR Northeastern Region Director K M Bajarbaruah said today. The World Bank8217;s Rs 1,700 crore fund for National Agriculture Innovation Project NAIP, which is aimed at promoting livelihood security of the rural poor, would hugely benefit the North-East, he said.

Twelve out of the 150 8216;8216;disadvantaged districts8217;8217; identified for implementation of NAIP in the country are in the North-East. Five of the districts are in Assam, and one each in Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim. ICAR would be playing a crucial role in implementation of the project.

Despite a shortfall of 1.6 million tonne of food grains and 2.2 lakh MT in meat and poultry products, the Northeastern region still continue to remain in focus for augmenting agricultural and life-stock produce due to its favourable conditions, which are yet to be scientifically exploited.

According to Bujabaruah, North-East is not only expected to bridge the gap for domestic production, but also expected to produce excess agricultural produces to contribute to the national food basket.

ICAR would adopt a three-pronged strategy for increased productivity in the region, with emphasis on enhancing area-wise yield, profitability and permanency. ICAR has already developed 12 high-yield varieties of rice suitable to the climatic and topographic conditions in the region.

Seven intensive integrated farming system modules were recently developed by ICAR for N-E in order to check rampant soil erosion and enhance conservation of water in the region. It has also 8216;8216;pumped in money8217;8217; in 18 districts in the N-E to promote sustainable agriculture, Buzarbaruah said.