'Focus on agro-textiles to raise horticulture productivity'

 FROM OUR Special Correspondent

SILCHAR, March 30: A day long semir on ‘agro textiles :: holistic altertive to enhance yield and profitability of horticulture and agriculture’ jointly organized by the Ministry of Textiles and Government of Assam as well as Agrotech, Synthetical and Art Silk Mills Research Association (SASMIRA), Mumbai, in association with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Cachar, was held recently in the premises of Assam Agriculture University, Aruchal, 10 km from here.

After welcome address by Dr. Prabjyoti Sarma, programme coorditor, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, concept paper was read out by Premth Surwase, scientist, SASMIRA. Surwase in his key-note address said the areas of agro textile application can be broadly identified as agro textiles for crop production, horticulture, floriculture and forestry, animal husbandry, aquaculture, and agro engineering. He added to say textiles in different forms are extensively used for many agricultural uses which are put to application in diverse ways.

Continuing Premth Surwase said few of the other technical textiles that aid agriculture are geo textiles, protective textiles and industrial textiles. Abdus Salam, demonstrator, department of handloom and textiles, said the semir would best convey the message if rural areas are included in the programme for demonstration for the knowledge of farmers. D K Barua, sub-divisiol agricultural officer, spoke about the durability and sustaibility of agro textile productions. ndita Shome, branch mager, SBI Aruchal, assured of necessary help to the farmers in need of loans from bank.

The first of its kind semir on agro textiles in this southern most part of Assam has been organized with the objectives to generate awareness about the potential of agro textile products, to gather information about the scheme for promoting usage of agro textiles in north-east region, besides laying emphasis on the infrastructural requirement and the incentives from the government and fincial institutes for usages.

The semir was divided into two technical sessions which touched upon the various aspects of agro textiles, its scope and benefits. S Goswami, district information officer, was also present at the semir. 80 farmers participated in the semir and gathered necessary information about the application of agro textiles. The semir concluded with vote of thanks by Aiub Sheikh, scientist, SASMIRA.