Memorandum of Agreement for Transfer of Technology on Bio-Fertilizers and Bio Pesticide and Development of Industry Incubation Systems was signed between the Central Agriculture University (CAU), Imphal, and the Soil and Water Conservation Department, Government of Nagaland on 12th January 2022 in the office chamber of Agriculture Production Commissioner Nagaland, Y. Kikheto Sema, in the presence of K. Libanthung Lotha, Commissioner and Secretary, Soil and Water Conservation; Nungsangwapang, Additional Secretary, Agriculture; K. Zhekheto Awomi, Director, Soil and Water Conservation and K. Khekiho Shohe, State Nodal Officer for Soil Health Management who were also the signatories of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).

The APC in his introductory remark mentioned that in Nagaland 70 % of the population living in the rural areas depends on agriculture and allied activities out of this 73% are engaged in jhum/shifiting cultivation and 27% are engaged in settled farming. The traditional way of cultivation i.e. jhum is not found to be economically viable and ecologically sustainable; therefore the Government of Nagaland is looking towards the sustainable livelihood of our farmers. The state government is happy that the union government has sanctioned 2 BFPU and 10 units under consideration in this financial year. And in this regard, the state govt. is in need of experts for efficient implementation. The government is happy that the MoA is being signed for the same. The APC also conveyed gratitude to Vice Chancellor and thanked the S&WC department for taking the initiative.

Dr. S. Basanta Singh, Director of Research, CAU (Imphal), Manipur in his address mentioned that the signing of MoA is a historic moment for both the parties as this was the first time an agreement was signed between the Central Agriculture University, Imphal and Government of Nagaland.

Prof. Dwipendra Thakuria, CAU-CPGSAS, Umiam who is also the technical expert gave a brief presentation on the (3) three technologies being transferred:

1. CAU Bioenhancer (A microbial consortium for Terrace and Valley Lands)
2. CAU Jhum Bioenhancer (A microbial consortium for mixed crops of Jhum Fields)
3. Um-Met: A Liquid bioformulation of a potential indigenous entomopathogens Metarhizium anisopliae

Prof. Thakuria also appreciated the state government for taking initiative for setting up Meteorological Observatories in all the districts; setting up Soil Testing Laboratories in all districts and also for the promotion of organic farming in the state by setting up Bio Fertilizer production units in 2 (two) districts and 10 more units under consideration for each district, he also stated that the state will become a model of organic farming for the entire country. He also offered the opportunity to the state government to train the technical persons the technical knowhow if required which the officials of the state government appreciated.

He also mentioned that University has spent a huge amount on the development of technologies but since the State government is a nonprofit organisation, the University has agreed to share the technologies in a nominal amount of Rs. 1.00 lakh (Rupees one lakh) only per technology. The university at the same time requested the state government that since the MoA is going to benefit both the parties if some kind of funding can be provided to the University for the creation of facilities such as biopesticides or bio fertilizers production units for Research and Development programs if there are any avenues.

It was agreed that the University and the State Government will coordinate and cooperate even for other programmes in the future for the benefit of the farmers in the state.

Earlier the welcome address was given by Prof. Wricha Tyagi, Dean, CPGSAS, Umiam; Presentation on Technology to be Transferred by Prof. Dwipendra Thakuria, CAU-CPGSAS, Umiam; Production and Maintenance of Biofertilizer Production Unit by Mr. K. Khekiho Shohe, State Nodal Officer, Soil Health Mission, Govt. of Nagaland; Vote of Thanks was pronounced by Prof. Ph. Ranjit Sharma, Director of Extension Education, CAU (Imphal).

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