Workshop to Develop Road Map for Agriculture in Lower Gangetic Plains Region

BARRACKPORE: Indian Council of Agricultural Research organized a workshop for preparing a development road map for agriculture and allied sectors in Lower Gangetic Plains Region (Agro-climatic Region-III) covering West Bengal (Except hilly areas), eastern part of Bihar and Bramhaputra valley of Assam at ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore.

The workshop was organized under the Chairmanship of Dr. A. K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension and Fisheries Science), ICAR. Elaborating on the objectives of workshop, the Chairman said, on the basis of interactions with farmers and further deliberations with scientists, recommendations will made for overall agricultural development of the region with primary focus on sustainable income to farmers.

Dr. S. D. Singh, Assistant Director General (Inland Fisheries), ICAR welcomed the delegates and remarked that enhancing income and ensuring livelihood security of the farmers, especially the small and marginal category is the major concern.

Prof. G. Trivedi, former Vice-Chancellor, RAU, Pusa suggested farmers to adopt integrated farming system incorporating crop, horticulture, livestock, fisheries to safeguard their income.  He added that agriculture diversification is always better in case of failure of some of the enterprises.

Prof. S. K. Sanyal, former Vice-Chancellor, BCKV,Mohanpur  emphasized the important role of soil and water management, seed replacement and input efficiency. He stressed the need to make available quality certified seeds of improved varieties.

Prof. C. S. Chakraborty, former Vice Chancellor, WBUAFS, elaborated on importance of green fodder, animal health management including vaccination, ornamental fishes and value addition for enhancing income of farmers and livestock owners.

Dr. V.R. Suresh, Director (Acting), ICAR-CIFRI and Dr. A.K. Singh (Director), ICAR-ATARI were the Nodal Officer, for the workshop.

Several Progressive famers and entrepreneurs put forth their problems related to production systems, field technologies, marketing issues and extension mechanisms. Representatives from SAUs viz. BCKV, Mohanpur; UBKV, Pundibari; BAU, Sabour; and AAU, Jorhat and ICAR institutes/Centres from this region responded to farmers’ need and presented the technologies, packages of practices developed by them. They also elaborated on various initiatives to extend supports to farmers for addressing their specific problems.

Dr. Arun Pandit, Senior Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI proposed vote of thanks.