`Tuber crops will provide food security`

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BISHNUPUR, February 28: A one-day training programme on scientific cultivation of tuber crops held at Khonghampat, Imphal West district organised by All India Coordinated Research Project on Tuber Crops, Central Agricultural University, Imphal on Friday. The programme was attended by Prof. Dr. W Ingo Meitei, Head of Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, CAU as the chief guest while the Pradhan of Khonghampat Gram Panchayat, Yengkhom Mohindro attended as the president and Dr. RK Tombisana, Associate Prof. Department of Plant Pathology, COA, CAU and Khungdongbam Nilamani, Head decaon of Khonghampat Baptist Church attended as the guest of honours.

In his keynote address, Dr. AK Bijaya Devi, principal investigator, AICRP(TC), Imphal Centre, Department  of Horticulture,CAU, Imphal said that CAU is one of the 17 selected places in India for the research of tuber crops.

Such programmes are organised by AICRP to help the farmers, to expand the scientific knowledge of cultivation of tuber crops and to increase yield in production, he added.

In his speech, Kh. Nilamani says that ozone layer is depleting because of climate change.

“The production of rice, barley, wheat etc is decreasing as cultivable lands are also decreasing as human population increases. Tuber crops only can supplement or replace our main food items after 10/15 years so that it can help food security in future. We need more production of tuber crops,” he added.

“In Manipur, bandhs and blockades occur often and the problems of scarcity of food exist. Producing more tuber crops can solve this problem. Tuber crops are rich in carbohydrates and fibres so glucose/dextrose infusion industries can be set up enhancing our livelihood as well as providing financial support, Dr. W Imoba said.

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