CSIR-NEIST planning to expand activities in State

Our correspondent

Itanagar, June 8: The Jorhat-based CSIR-North East Institute of Science & Technology (NEIST) is planning to provide more science and technology inputs in Arunachal Pradesh in areas of organic agriculture to double the farmers’ income, entrepreneurship development and value addition for local resources.

The institute is also planning to address local problems of the State through S&T interventions (STINER), employment generation through MSME technologies and skill development, besides creating scientific awareness among the people of the State.

This was stated by Dr Pinaki Sengupta, Chief Scientist and Head of Material Sciences & Technology Division and coordinator, CSIR-NEIST Branch, Itanagar, who is leading a team of scientists. The team called on Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein here on Friday.

Dr Sengupta, while highlighting the activities and schemes being implemented by the CSIR-NEIST in the State on bio-fertilizer production, composting and installation of distillation units, further said the institute is also planning to expand its activities in new areas in collaboration with the State government and replicate its activities in all districts through mobile centre entrepreneurship, propagation of existing varieties of medicinal and aromatic plants, its cultivation, processing for livelihood and economic development.

Mein, while pointing out that Arunachal is rich in natural resources and biodiversity, opined that it is through sustainable utilization of these resources through science and technological interventions that the State’s socio-economic condition can be transformed, stated an official report.

During the meeting, Mein urged the scientists to extend their services and technical expertise to strengthen the Research & Development wing of the State. He said: “Research and development is important to generate and develop products and technologies in order to meet international standard in terms of quality, cost and efficiency.”