‘Natural farming practices gaining popularity in Nagaland’

April 14, 2023 37 Views No Comment

North East Sustainability Conclave to foster sustainable economic development in NE

Medziphema, April 14 (MExN): “Nagaland is known for its diverse indigenous communities and rich biodiversity. Organic and natural farming practices are gaining popularity in Nagaland as a means of promoting sustainable agriculture and preserving the environment,” said Dr BN Tripathi, DDG (Animal Science), ICAR, New Delhi.

He was delivering the opening address at the North East Sustainability Conclave on productivity and green growth to advance sustainable development held at ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Medziphema on April 13.

An update from ICAR-NRC on Mithun Medziphema; Nagaland stated that Dr Tripathi also said, “climate change is an important issue to address and we have a goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions globally by the year 2070.”

The chief guest, Sundeep Kumar Nayak, IAS, Director General, National Productivity Council (NPC) in his keynote address asserted that NPC is spearheading green growth movement in the country. To this effect, NPC provides technical assistance to state governments and organisations for adoption of green growth, he added.

“We need to have a net zero state action plan for Nagaland that includes mitigation and adoption measures aiming at reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and implementation of carbon neutral activities,” Kumar remarked.

He emphasized the role of private sector in achieving sustainability and significance of green finance to support environmentally sustainable projects or business practices.

Dr DN Thakur, National President, Sahakar Bharati emphasised proper food storage for its availability during the lean season. In his address, ge stated that there is about 40% of food waste before reaching consumers, so measures have to be taken to mitigate food waste. He urged the farmers to focus more on the use of biogas to reduce the use of fossil fuels.

Dr Thakur emphasised significance of cooperative movement for achieving green and inclusive growth and urged Nagaland to take advantage of cooperative strength.

Dr KM Bujarbaruah, Former DDG (Animal Science) and former vice chancellor, AAU, Jorhat delivered a lecture on crop and livestock-based natural farming with special reference to NE India. Dr S Venugopal, Director, National Institute of Technology, Nagaland highlighted the importance of green manufacturing in NE India. Dr Nazrul Haque, Principal Scientist delivered lecture on organic agriculture in NE India.

Earlier, Dr Girish Patil S, Director of ICAR-NRCM highlighted the role of Mithun in natural farming. KD Bhardwaj, Director, Environment and Climate Change, NPC. Dr TK Datta, Director, ICAR-CIRB, Hisar, Haryana, Deans and Professors from SASARD, Medziphema, Veterinary College, Jalukie, Patkai Christian College, Chümoukedima, SET, Dimapur, students also participated in the event.

The North East Sustainability Conclave organised by National Productivity Council, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun, GoI was aimed to foster sustainable economic development in the NE region of India.

“By convening representatives from the government, private sector, academia, and progressive farmers, the event provided a platform to deliberate and share insights on strategies and ideas to achieve sustainable growth in the region,” it stated.