State specific crop/animal species for higher productivity in NE

Angad Prasad, Indira Sarangthem and Daya Ram
Contd from previous issue
The farmers’ welfare activities, publications, seasonal agricultural information and other facilities being served to the farmers should be disseminated in time. \If possible, a date should be fixed to upload those information on the website of the University and college concerned. Such information should be brought in farmers’ notice through radio, TV and local daily. In case of inputs – seeds, breeds of poultry and cattle, pigs and fish seeds, if farmers are informed with full details along with their benefit, definitely they will come to take. Thus, the adoption of new technology will be multiplied within a short span of time.
Ø Seeking cooperation between all land-based departments: The major activities of extension service is borne by the state land based departments, whereas University has to work as front-line guide, therefore, a congenial rapport between all such departments is necessary for providing the desired benefit to the farmers and rural youth. The Central Agricultural University, Imphal has constituted an Extension Education Council, in which, major departments of the seven states of the north eastern region falling under the jurisdiction of the University are members. In addition, two farmers’ representatives/social workers are also members. The University conducts annual meetings where all members should take part so that facilities and extension services for the farmers would be known which in turn help the states for executing the extension services to the farmers. In the same fashion, all constituent colleges have College Extension Education Committee, where all land-based department of the State, farmers’ representatives/social workers are members; Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) have Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) consisting of all heads of the land-based departments, representatives of the district concerned are members. They must represent in the meeting usually convened once a year. Such cooperation will help in quick delivery of information, services required and further improvement in the system of extension education of the University.
Ø Emphasis on demonstration: Among the different means of educating the farmers, demonstration has the most important place. By seeing the result, process or method, people get accurate knowledge as well as evidence of the benefit of technology demonstrated. It helps them to a great extent to adopt. The concept of Front Line demonstration being conducted by agricultural universities and KVKs has come to support this philosophy. If concerned land-based departments are informed and their cooperation/participation is also seen, technology transfer gets momentum.
Ø Organization of vocational training: With the help of state land-based departments and gram panchayats, needing, desirous and educated unemployed rural youth should be selected and after their need assessment, they can be trained in specific rural vocations or for growing any cash crop as mentioned above at Vocational Training Centres established in each state of the University. For specialized training in fisheries, College of Fisheries, CAU, Agartala has been strengthened as a centre of excellence, where youth can be trained in aquaculture, fish breeding, prawn culture and fish processing and preservation. The farmers and youth of the region may be guided to get technical advice/training at KVKs established in each district. This is also a fact that training facilities cannot be provided in mass, therefore, some youth having leading capacity may be trained, who may be used as local trained resources for providing training and guidance to other fellow farmers/youth. Likewise, College of Veterinary Sciences & A.H. Situated at Aizawl (Mizoram), Jalukie (Nagaland) and College of Agril. Engg. & PHT, Gangtok may train the farmers and rural youth for animal rearing, dairy management and food processing etc. The trained youth may start their own enterprise and get a handsome income.
Ø Participatory mode for selection of needy rural youth:
(To be contd)