Medziphema, March 13 (MExN): The Oilseed Kisan Mela-cum-National Seminar on “Sustainable Pathways for Scaling Oilseed Production in the Northeastern Region of India” was held at the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre in Medziphema on March 13. The programme was organised by the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre in collaboration with the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad.
Welcoming the participants, Head of the ICAR Nagaland Centre, Dr H Kalita, spoke on the need to enhance oilseed production and productivity in the northeastern region to reduce dependence on imported edible oils.
Agricultural Advisor to the Government of Nagaland, Mhathung Yanthan, who attended the programme as Chief Guest, spoke on the role of oilseeds in ensuring food security and improving farmers’ incomes. He urged farmers to expand oilseed cultivation, improve yields and strengthen market linkages. He also stressed the importance of soil health cards, improving jhum farming systems and promoting research and demonstrations to enhance oilseed production in hilly areas.
Pro Vice-Chancellor of the School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Dr Dipak Sinha, encouraged farmers to adopt oilseed cultivation as a profitable farming option.
Scientist at ICAR Nagaland Centre, Dr Harendra Verma, spoke on bridging the gap in oilseed production in Nagaland and suggested utilising rice fallow lands for cultivating crops such as linseed, toria and sunflower. He highlighted high-yielding linseed varieties LSL-93 (for seed purpose) and Priyam (dual-purpose for seed and fibre), along with sunflower variety Tilhan Tec SUNH-1.
Principal Scientist at ICAR-IIOR, Dr Ramesh, spoke on maintaining soil health and advocated the use of organic fertilizers over inorganic ones. He also encouraged the use of farmyard manure (FYM).
Principal Scientist at ICAR-IIOR, Dr Md A Aziz Qureshi, spoke on the scope of oilseed cultivation in Nagaland. He pointed out that soil acidity is a major limiting factor affecting productivity and stressed the importance of soil health management. He recommended crops such as linseed, castor, niger and toria for acidic soils and highlighted practices like liming.
State Organizing Secretary from Assam, Krishna Kanta Bora, encouraged the empowerment of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to generate income through oilseed cultivation.
Director of the National Research Centre on Mithun, Dr Girish Patil S, spoke on the growing demand for edible oil in India and stressed the need to increase domestic oilseed production. He also highlighted the establishment of local oil expellers to reduce transportation costs.
A total of 227 farmers attended the programme along with representatives from the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), state departments and scientists. During the inaugural session, quality seeds of sesame and green gram along with vermicompost were distributed to farmers by the Chief Guest. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr Harendra Verma.
