AGARTALA, Dec 14 (TIWN): Recently, a National Seminar On Sustaining Hill Agriculture in Changing Climate was held at Pragna Bhawan , Agartala during 5-7th December ‘2015. The National Seminar was organized by Indian Association of Hill Farming (IAHF) jointly with ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region.

 The programme was inaugurated on 5^th December at Pragna Bhawan, Agartala by His Excellency, Hon’ble Governor of Tripura, Shri Tathagata Roy. The dignitaries present in the inaugural ceremony were Prof A. K. Ghosh, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Tripura  Central University, Dr. G.S. G. Ayyangar, Principal Secretary,  Finance, Agriculture and Rural Development, Govt. of Tripura, Dr. P. Das , Former DDG (Agri Extension ), ICAR, New Delhi, Dr. K. R. Dhiman, Former VC, YSPUH&F, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, Dr. U.C. Sharma, Vice President, International Commission on Water Quality and Dr. S.V. Ngachan, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Meghalaya and Chairman of National Seminar. Dr. M. Datta, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura and Organising secretary, National Seminar put forward a warm welcome to all dignitaries, delegates coming from various places of our country, Scientists, Directors of various Institutes, Joint Directors, State Officials, NABARD and Press & Media. His Excellency, Governor of Tripura had expressed his happiness in conducting the National Seminar by IAHF jointly with ICAR with a hope to come out recommendations for solving the problems of agrarian economy in Hills and Mountains. As enumerated by His Excellency, the conflict between Forestry and Agriculture should also be focused in a converging mood in a fragile ecosystem of Hills for producing more food grains with ensured supply to the people of Hills, largely dependent in Agri and Allied Activities.  Soil Health cards were distributed among the Farmers of Tripura and Meghalaya by His Excellency, Governor of Tripura. A number of books, bulletins and Scientific leaflets were released by His Excellency, Governor of Tripura.  Various awards such as IAHF Fellow, Best research paper, Best M. Sc and Ph. D Thesis etc were conferred upon Scientists. More than 200 delegates from different states of north east India and western Himalayas attended the National Seminar at Agartala. The possible role of ICT in Agriculture could have to be unraveled in this era of Information Technology as pointed by Prof A. K. Ghosh. Wishing a grand success in the National Seminar, Dr Ayyangar had informed the House a close collaboration existing among Govt. of Tripura and ICAR. The necessity of various adaptation and mitigation strategies is to be undertaken in the changing climatic scenario as stressed upon by Dr. P. Das. Dr. K. R. Dhiman had expressed a need to carry out a holistic approach to increase the production in Agri and Allied Activities. The achievements of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region in recent times were narrated by Dr. S. V. Ngachan and the proactive role undertaken by IAHF was also informed by Dr. Ngachan in the inaugural function. The Inaugural function which was coordinated by Dr A. Sen, Principal Scientist, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Meghalaya,  came to an  end with vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Anup Das, Secretary, IAHF and Convener, National Seminar.

Farmers – Scientists interaction was also organized under the chairmanship of Dr. P. Das, Former DDG, ICAR, New Delhi and Soil Health Card, Pheromone Traps were distributed among the Farmers. A numbe of research papers were presented either by orally or through poster display in different  12 Technical Sessions  under various themes lake

• Climate Change – Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies for Hills
• Farming System Approach for Natural Resource Conservation and Food Security ( Crop Improvement and Germplasm Management)
• Plant Health Management
• Livestock , Poultry and Fisheries in Agriculture
• Organic Farming and Natural Farming
• Improved Shifting Cultivation Practices
• Technology Dissemination
• Potentials of Horticulture in Hill Farming
• Animal Health Management
• Integrated Soil, Water and Nutrient Management
• Farming System Approach for Natural resource Conservation and Food Security ( NRM)
• Farm Mechanisation and Secondary Agriculture

The Plenary Sessions along valedictory distributing the awards were organized under the chairmanship of Dr. S. V. Ngachan with Dr. K. R. Dhiman as the Chief Guest. Dr. D. P. Sarkar, Director of Agriculture, Govt. of Tripura was present as Guest of Honour. The involvement of Scientists, Technical officers, Administrative officials and Project staff of ICAR, Tripura Centre was exemplary  and with the untiring efforts of Scientists from Hq at Barapani, the National Seminar was made a grand success.