Jorhat: Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday appealed to scientists and governments to encourage farmers to diversify and take up allied activities such as poultry, dairy and fisheries, adding that only increase in production may not encourage people to join farming.
Addressing the inauguration of golden jubilee celebrations of the Assam Agricultural University (AAU) in Jorhat, Naidu said: "There is a big unmet demand for dairy and meat products in the entire northeastern region and there is a need to turn this challenge into an opportunity.
"Farmers who toil on farms should be empowered with knowledge, financial credit, warehousing and insurance facilities and we need to rethink and revitalise agricultural education and research."
He started his speech in Assamese, saying: " Asomiyar Rangalee Bihur subhecha janaaisu (Wishing everyone a happy Assamese Rongali Bihu)".
On Wednesday, Naidu will launch the cashless mode of operation of Atal Amrit Abhiyan health scheme in Guwahati. "It is indeed a great pleasure for me to be a part of the golden jubilee celebrations of Assam Agricultural University. I have been told that it was the only agricultural university in the entire Northeast till 1988 when the Central Agricultural University was set up."
Naidu's push for a better deal for farmers comes in the wake of rising farm distress across India, resulting in increase of number of suicides and crippling debts.
At AAU, Naidu said: "It is heartening to know that students from seven countries are pursuing higher studies in this university and students from here are getting fellowships to study in six European universities."
Governor Jagdish Mukhi chaired the meeting which was attended by vice-chancellor K.M. Bujarbaruah.