Agriculture dept. observes World Food Day

Our Correspondent Kohima, Oct.16 (EMN): The department of Agriculture observed World Food Day 2019 with the theme 'Our actions are our future: Healthy diets for a zero-hunger world,' on Wednesday in the directorate's conference hall. Speaking at the programme, Additional Director C Peter Yanthan said World Food Day is being observed with great enthusiasm in India. Stating that World Food Day is a day of action dedicated to tackling global hunger, he said lovers of food join hands and vow to keep their food hygienic and safe. The government servant said the event is observed in honour of the foundation date of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, which was inaugurated by the United Nations in the year 1945. Yanthan mentioned that the principal reason behind observing World Food Day was to secure and advance food security across the world, particularly in days of crisis. Referring to the theme, Yanthan said, 'Our diets and eating habits have changed instead of seasonal, fibre rich food and plant-based food.' To the department of Agriculture, he said that it needs to streamline some of the action-plans to improve the state’s economy in the present context. Due to the changing and reinforcing traditional skills coupled with modern technology, he said technology changes have become the major driving force toward increasing agricultural production and productivity. 'There is a paradigm shift from traditional sustenance farming to integrated farming including food safety and quality and this shift leads to sustainable farming,' he said. Further, the official emphasised on the need to introduce agriculture farm mechanisation with low cost, portable and gender-friendly machinery and tools because 70% of the working force in agriculture are women. Yanthan urged for using high yielding varieties and new technologies such as the system of rice intensification and line transplanting through centrally sponsored flagship intervention, which will be a paradigm shift from traditional methods to improved and settled systems in agriculture. Also, the official urged for establishing agriculture cIinics and agriculture business centres in all the districts and sub-divisions to make available agriculture inputs at farmers' doorsteps. Also, Yanthan emphasised on low cost innovative water harvesting structures in rainfall areas by tapping excess surface run-off water during monsoon. It can be used during lean seasons, he said, encouraging farmers to adopt integrated farming systems to double their income to ensure food security and livelihood. It can also strengthen the existing agricultural marketing sector. In commemoration of World Food Day 2019, the Agriculture officials also visited Kohima Orphanage and Destitute Home and donated food items and cash.