Expressing serious concern over rodent menace in the North East region, minister for Agriculture, Dr. Chumben Murry on Monday said the appearance of rodents coinciding with bamboo flowering was an alarm that needed to be looked into and checked.
The minister said research was needed to ascertain the reproduction of rodents through bamboo flowering and to disrupt the chain of events.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the Zonal Conference on Agriculture Inputs for Rabi 2008-09 for North East States hosted by Nagaland at Hotel Japfü, Chumben appealed the Government of India to commercialize organic farming in Nagaland in the zoned areas with systematic technical support, credit, and finance and regularized marketing system.
The minister noted that though 70% of cultivators adopt Jhum cultivation in the region, the level of subsidy for machineries and equipments was too less. “Farmer friendly seed procurement policy is required,” he said while stressing on the importance of quality seed.
Given the right push and direction from the Central Government, Chumben assured that the agriculture and allied sectors could give economic respite to the people of the region.
He said the North East states needed much support and gesture from the Government of India in the field of agriculture development.
The minister further urged members of the conference to focus on important issues pertaining to requirement of various inputs for the coming Rabi season.
Joint Secretary, MOA, Directorate of Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of India, Sanjeev Gupta delivered the keynote address, while Commissioner and Secretary, Agriculture, N.N. Zhasa gave the welcome address and Director of Agriculture, Dr. Supong Keitzar offered vote of thanks.
The programme was chaired by Additional Chief Secretary and APC, Alemtemshi Jamir.
The conference was attended by delegates from all the North East regions.
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