Aizawl: Mizoram’s Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, P.C. Vanlalruata, made a strong case for the state’s agricultural needs and aspirations at the 96th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Society held in New Delhi.
The meeting, chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, brought together ministers, senior officials, agricultural experts, and farmer representatives from across the country at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, NASC Complex, PUSA.
The session reviewed ICAR’s latest research outputs, publications, and technological innovations, while also serving as a platform for states to voice their unique challenges and future priorities.
In his intervention, Minister Vanlalruata urged the Centre to support the expansion of agricultural infrastructure in Mizoram. He stressed the need to set up Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in remote and underserved districts such as Lunglei, Champhai, and Saitual, which continue to face major gaps in agri-extension services.
He also called on ICAR to empower the state’s rural youth through skill development and entrepreneurship programmes, along with the creation of technology hubs and start-up support systems to nurture innovation in farming practices.
Highlighting the unique topography and conditions of Mizoram, the Minister requested the development of high-yielding upland paddy varieties suited to hilly terrain and urged for more collaborative research with local farmers to improve crop productivity and resilience.
On oilseed development, he noted Mizoram’s recent efforts to cultivate Tung (Vernicia fordii) under the National Mission on Oilseeds and requested ICAR to formulate a comprehensive Package of Practices to guide local farmers in quality production and market readiness.
The issue of bamboo overgrowth, particularly of bambusa tulda, which has complicated land use and farming was also raised, with a call for ICAR’s intervention and special financial assistance from the Centre to mitigate the challenges it poses to farmers and communities.
Minister Vanlalruata further proposed the setting up of a College of Horticulture in the state and expansion of Wet Rice Cultivation in Mamit district, where the terrain is suitable for intensive farming.
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