National webinar discusses efficient water management practices in North East
GUWAHATI: The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, North Eastern Regional Centre (Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India), Guwahati (NIRD&PR - NERC), Assam State and ICAR - Research Complex North Eastern Hill Region (ICAR - RCNEHR), Umiam (Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India), Umiam, Meghalaya jointly organized a national webinar commemorating the 75th years of progressive India, on the topic 'Management of Water surplus-deficit dichotomy in North Eastern Agriculture to enhance the Productivity' on Tuesday to deliberate on the scientific management of water resource from rain and consequent surface flow and underground storages.
Dr. V. Suresh Babu, Associate Professor and Webinar Coordinator, NIRDPR-NERC, Guwahati, while welcoming the dignitaries, eminent panelists and the participants to the event, laid focus on the proper management of water resources using scientific intervention in synergy with soil conservation measures as the need of the hour. From the perspective of the farmers, it also becomes very pertinent in the hilly region to not only harvest the rain-water or conserve the soil but also use the resources in such a way that secure the livelihood of the family in a sustainable way, despite the prevailing traditional water resource management practices in north eastern region.
While setting the context for the webinar, Dr. Debasish Chakraborty, Scientist, ICAR - RCNEHR, Umiam, said that despite the huge water resource availability, many a times it becomes limiting factor for essential activities such as domestic use or agricultural needs. Lack of ample water during the post-monsoon to winter months (November to March) is one of the crucial reasons for not taking the rabi crop which is keeping the cropping intensity almost stagnant at about 135 per cent. In the absence of scientific management of this vital resource from rain and consequent surface flow and underground storages, the water resources go waste and creates havoc downstream. Therefore, the core issue remains the management of the rainwater, stated a press release.
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