August 9, 2016
Aparupa Poddar speaks in Lok Sabha on The Central Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill, 2016
Thank you for allowing me to speak on The Central Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
The purpose of the Bill is to include the state of Nagaland under the jurisdiction of the Central Agricultural University, having its headquarter in Imphal. This Bill helps to impart education in different branches of agriculture and allied sciences, undertake research in agriculture, and extension of education in Hilly regions with national and international institutes.
As agriculture is the main economic activity in Nagaland; more than 90 percent of the population is employed within it, with more than 60 tribes and sub tribes who have their own culture tradition and language. The widespread practice of jhum cultivation has led to soil erosion and loss of soil fertility. Research is required to retain soil fertility. Imphal with a hot and humid rainy season during summer and cool dry winter with fertile land made up of alluvial soil will help the farmers with new techniques thereby contributing to the productivity of agriculture of the region.
This would help in getting over the shortage of technical manpower and infrastructural facilities and would contribute to the development of agriculture including animal husbandry and horticulture, plant pathology, plan reading, soil science, agricultural chemistry.
After inclusion of state of Nagaland under the jurisdiction of Central Agricultural University, the College of Veterinary Science in Nagaland will produce professional manpower in the field of animal husbandry which will facilitate the social economy growth in the region thereby contributing in the productivity of the animals in Nagaland and will be a great blessing for the people of the state.
According to the 12th plan, Rs 14.31 crore shall be expended after establishment of the college of veterinary science in Nagaland which is a very welcome initiative. The state of Nagaland has enormous potential for production season and off-season agricultural foods and vegetables.
But due to proper storage and harvest handling there is a huge loss especially for the perishable items. Funds should be provided for purchase of machineries and equipment with reasonable affordable subsidy policy. The connectivity to the potential areas from village to highway and market should be improved to boost the economy of the rural farmers.
Deputy Speaker Sir, the state does not have industries to absorb the educated unemployed youth because the state has no proper infrastructure and institutional set up. So they have every reason to take up agriculture seriously. Hon’ble President Pranab Mukherjee on 6 February, 2016 at 54th Convocation of Indian Agricultural Research Institute had addressed that agricultural education in our country must be conformed to the global standards and we need to create a large pool of competent faculty in our institutions and technology to promote agriculture nationwide.
In West Bengal, the Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya is doing good research work and it is one of the best research institutes of the country; it is a state university. Its research work with modern technique are helping the farmers.
The government should take measures to reduce discrimination among various sections of people, specially the Dalit students and make an environment of studies and research in the university to shape students and to develop the nation.
So, I welcome the initiative taken by the government and on behalf of my party All India Trinamool Congress we support the Bill.
Thank you very much.
