Attracting and retaining youths in farming sector underscored

From a Correspondent

TEZPUR, March 16: The scientific advisory body of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sonitpur assembled here recently at the conference hall of Sonitpur Zila Parishad to formulate the annual action plan for the next year.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. HC Bhattacharyya, Director of ExtensionEducation, Assam Agricultural University. Dr. Bhattacharyya, in his opening remarks appealed all the stakeholders in the field of agriculture to put forward united effort to glorify the farming profession. He expressed deep concern over migration of rural youths to the service sector and opined that attracting and retaining youths in the farming sector was the need of the hour.

Attending themeeting as special invitee, Dr. GN Hazarika, Director of Research

of Assam Agricultural University, stressed seed production programme particularly for the pulses and oilseeds as the State invests huge capital every year for buying pulse seed from other

States. Dr. PC Deka, Programme Coorditor, presented the annual action plan in the house and the house offered a host of corrective measures covering aspects like building up of input production capacity for diverting 25 per cent crop area towards organic farming , boosting of pulse and oilseeds output, conduct of more demonstration on emerging sectors like floriculture and strawberry cultivation.

The meeting was attended by the district heads of agriculture, veteriry, soil conservation, forestry, Prasar Bharati, sericulture, handloom and textile, DICC, NGO activisst, entrepreneurs, several progressive farmers and KVK scientist and staff.  Anjan Krish Sarmah, SMS, offered the vote of thanks in the meeting.