NE foodgrain production deficient by 13%

Raju Das

UMIAM, Jan 20 – The imbalance between foodgrain production and population growth in the North East is an area of concern and experts say a host of measures must be adopted to maintain the balance.

According to 2005 data, the region is deficient by 13 per cent in foodgrain production. Compounding this deficiency is the abnormal population growth in the region, in many case due to illegal immigration. The region’s population is growing faster than the national average.

Scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Reaserch (ICAR) here say that the region must adopt a scientific approach on a wider scale to meet the challenge and be self-sufficent in foodgrain production. The region would require 11,326 million tonnes to feed its teeming population by 2025.

“Technology is not being optimally used in foodgrain production in the region and there has to be an urgent improvement in this area,” said SV Ngachan, Director, ICAR Northeastern region, during an interaction with the media here.

The Director said ICAR has developed 13 high yielding varieties of rice which can increase production from the current 1.8 tonne per hectare to 6 tonne per hectare.

Moreover, there is one lakh hectares of marshy land in the region which remains unused. “These areas can be used to increase food grain production with improved crops and agricultural engineering,” he added.

The Director also expressed concern that the region was not making proper use of its adundant water resources. He said 500 litres of water was required to produce one kg of rice and therefore to produce 10 million tonnes of rice 3.5 cubic kilometre of water is required.

“Rainwater harvesting and irrigation facilities must be increased to boost production,” Ngachan said, adding a comprehensive natural resource management policy backed by sound technology would help the region to produce the targeted foodgrain production in 2025. ASSAM TRIBUNE