PRESS RELEASE

NORTH EAST AGRI. FAIR 2007-08

The Central Agricultural University is organizing the North East Agriculture Fair 2007-08 at its College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram campus from February 6-9. To commemorate occasion, a National Seminar on "Integrated Farming Systems Relevant to NE Region" is also being organized.

The main objective of the fair and the national seminar is to show case the recent developments in agriculture and allied sectors to the people of NE region in general and farming community in particular. A large number of farmers of the region, scientists, policy makers and entrepreneurs in the field of agriculture and allied sectors will participate in the fair.

The fair will provide a platform for transfer of technologies and better understanding as well as solution of problems associated with the agriculture in the region.

Pu Zoramthanga, Hon'ble Chief Minister, Mizoram will Inaugurate the fair on 6th of February 2008 (11:00 a.m.). Pu Vanlalzawma, Member Parliament (Lok Sabha), Pu Lalrinchhana, Hon'ble Minister of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Govt. of Mizoram, Pu H. Rammawi, Hon'ble Minister of Agriculture & Horticulture, Govt. of Mizoram and Pu Lalzama, Hon'ble Minister of High & Technical Education, Government of Mizoram will grace the occasion as Guests of Honour. Dr. S.N. Puri, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Central Agricultural University will preside over the inaugural function of the fair.

Several activities/competitions for the benefit of farmers, Self Help Groups, Associations and other stakeholders will be organized during the fair. Vegetable and Fruit show will be held on opening day of the fair, i.e., Feb. 6, 2008 (1:30 p.m. onwards). The various categories for competition for this show are a) Cole Crops, b) Root Crops, c) Tubers, d) Spices and e) Citrus Crops. On Feb. 7, 2008, Dog Show under two categories namely a) Small Breeds, and b) Large Breeds, and Handicraft Show under three categories namely a) Textile Products, b) Bamboo Products and c) Misc. Products (Candles, Agarbatis, etc.) will be held at 10:00 a.m. onwards. Flower Show will be held on Feb. 8, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. onwards for a) Flower Arrangement and b) Bonsai categories.

Kisan Gosthi, i.e., Farmers'-Scientist and other stakeholders Interaction, has been scheduled for Feb. 7 & 8, 2008 (2:00 p.m. onwards daily). The experts from different fields namely Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Fisheries, Banking and Finance, Rural Development, etc., from Central Agricultural University, Indian Council of Research Institutes, Line Departments of the State Governments of NE Region, etc., will interact with the farmers.

To demonstrate the unity in diversity and entertain the participants of the fair, cultural programmes will be held during the fair. On Feb. 6, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. onwards, Cultural Troop, Department of Arts and Culture, Govt. of Mizoram will present Mizo dances and songs. The programme will be augmented by the students of the College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, CAU, Selesih by dances and songs of different NE states of India.

Songs and Drama Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India, Guwahati Branch will present Nation Dances, songs and dramas on Feb 7 & 8, 2008 (6:00 p.m. onwards daily).

The Closing Ceremony of the fair has been scheduled for Feb. 9, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. onwards. Dr. A. N. Rai, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Mizoram University will grace the occasion as a Chief Guest.

The facilities like transportation, food and lodging (for the farmers coming from far places) have been arranged.

NATIONAL SEMINAR OF INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS RELEVANT TO NE REGION:

To commemorate occasion, a National Seminar on "Integrated Farming Systems Relevant to NE Region" is also being organized. The seminar will be inaugurated by Dr. S.N. Puri, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Central Agricultural University on Feb. 7, 2008at 9:30 a.m. The seminar has been divided into 4 No. technical sessions. The papers will be presented on the sub-themes "Socio-economic Dimensions of Integrated Farming Systems", "Horticulture Based Integrated Farming Systems" and "Livestock-Fish-Poultry Based Integrated Farming Systems" by the scientists of repute and policy makers in the field of agriculture and allied sectors on Feb. 7 & 8, 2008.

By Gajraj Singh, Dean & Organising Secretary