National training programme on seed testing

A five-day Special National Training Programme on "Advancement of Seed Testing" was inaugurated at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre, Imphal on 7th August, 2017. The aim of the training programme is to impart advance knowledge in the field of seed testing to the participants.

The training was inaugurated by Shri Y. Joykumar Singh, Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur as Chief Guest. Dr. Suhel Akhtar, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Manipur; Er. M. G. Viswakarma, NSRTC, Varanasi graced the event as Guests of Honour.

Shri Y. Joykumar Singh opined that though Manipur has potential in tourism and healthcare, but agriculture should be the main backbone of state's economy. He also emphasized on creation of irrigation facility to make the seed production programme successful. He urged the scientific experts to consider regional condition and agro-climate for devising agricultural strategy. He also highlighted the need for setting criteria for selection of seed for propagation of tree bean (Yongchak).

In his presidential specch, Dr. S. V. Ngachan, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam Meghalaya highlighted the importance of the training programme and achievements of ICAR in seed production in different NE states. He also mentioned the contribution of ICAR, Manipur Centre in supplying quality seed to Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Manipur during aftermonths of the current flood. He urged all concerned state departments to take up seed testing and seed certification programme for ensuring quality seed to the farmers.

Dr. Suhel Akhtar, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Manipur emphasized that due to location disadvantages, Manipur should be self-sufficient in food production including horticulture and without a good seed production programme this can not be achieved. He also requested ICAR to solve the storage problem of Manipuri Black Rice Chakhao.

Er. M. G. Viswakarma, NSRTC, Varanasi expressed that the participants will be highly benefitted from the interaction with different resource person in this training.

The event is jointly organized by ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre, Imphal and National Seed Research and Training Centre (NSRTC), Varanasi, U.P. and sponsored by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India and Manipur Small Farmers' Agri-business Consortium, Dept. of Agriculture, Govt. of Manipur.

More than 60 participants covering scientists, academicians, seed analyst, state officials and extension functionaries from different North Eastern India and also from Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana are participating in the event

(Source: ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre