- By Canning S Shabong
 |
| Smt.H.Lyngdoh, Director of Horticulture Meghalaya welcoming the dignitaries |
INTRODUCTION:
The 1(One) Day Focus Group Workshop on 1917-Integrated
Technology Enabled Agri Management System (iTEAMS), is the first workshop
held with a section of stakeholders, in order to sensitize, inform and educate
about the new program of the Department of Agriculture, which is being prepared
for roll out in the State. The workshop invited stakeholders comprising farmer
leaders, agro-entrepreneurs, KVK Subject Matter Specialists (SMS), Block Technology
Managers (BTM) and Assistant Technology Managers (ATM) of ATMA's and Departmental officers. The Inaugural Function was attended by Commissioner & Secretary
Agriculture, Shri. P.S.Kumar, IAS, Joint Secretary Agriculture Department Shri,
B.Mawlong, MCS, Director of Horticulture, Smt. H.Lyngdoh, Director of
Agriculture (R&T), Smt. B.N War and Officers from Directorate of Veterinary
and Animal Husbandry led by Dr. Rijal, Director. The Chief Guest of
the workshop is Dr. Mukul M. Sangma, Hon'ble Chief Minister incharge Agriculture & Horticulture etc.
Objectives: The main
objective of the workshop is to understand the views and opinions of the
various stakeholders about the 1917 iTEAMS program, inform educate and sensitize
the various stakeholders about the goals and objectives of this new initiative
which is planned for roll out in a short time by the State Government, using a multi modal and multi sectoral technology platform.
INAUGURAL FUNCTION:
Speaking at the inaugural function during the 1917
iTEAMS Focus Group Workhop, the Chief Minister
of Meghalaya incharge Agriculture & Horticulture, Dr. Mukul M.Sangma reiterated that the 1917-
Integrated Technology Enabled Agri Management System (iTEAMS) is a very
important initiative of the State Government for the farming community. In the era of technology driven economy, the
CM said that "there is need to ensure that we leverage upon technology that is available and technology
that is evolving, thereby ensuring that farmers have access to the latest scientific
information in order to make farming more remunerative. Farming will become remunerative when farmers are able to realise optimal benefit from their land
resources.
Further, Agriculture is the "On thing and will
remain the On thing so long as this planet exist" the Chief Minister told the participants of
the focus group workshop. When farmers are empowered with knowledge and skills, only
then the State will be able to overcome the challenge of food and nutritional
security. Farmers are the most important stakeholders of our program and there
is a need to involve them and connect them to this program from the very
beginning, the CM opined.
iTEAMS is borne out of the fact that there is a huge
need for creating a knowledge bank which is accessible to farmers as well as provide comprehensive support
system to ensure farmer's produce reaches the nearest markets and ensure last
mile connectivity. There is also an urgent need to minimise post harvest losses
to optimise farmer's income. This 1917 iTEAMS program is a comprehensive,
exhaustive and technology driven initiative, which needs domain specific expertise.
The Toll free Number 1917 will ensure on demand evacuation service for farmer's
produce from their villages to the nearest markets.
Through this Program farmers will have comprehensive information about
their land, the nutritional status of the soil, the moisture content, the micro
climatic condition around their area, the sunshine duration etc. Today with the
help of technology platform, we are now in a better position to provide these information to
farmers.
Nations who focused on agriculture are able to come
out of poverty level as well as job and unemployment related issues. Farming
has to be designed to attract the younger agro entrepreneurs in order to make
agriculture more remunerative, attractive and sustainable. We need to create extensive
awareness and educate the people about the magnitude of opportunities that
agriculture sector can provide, including the quantum of entrepreneurship that can be generated
in the agriculture value chain.
We want the World to know that we are creating an
enabling environment and we want all friends to partner and participate in this
program to show the World that we can grow and prosper, even in the midst of
adversity. Agriculture will ultimately determine our future and we need to have
the courage to dream big and also empower the farmers to dare to dream big, the CM concluded and set the tone for the workshop to deliberate and brainstorm.
WORKSHOP:
The Focus Group Discussion was chaired by the
Commissioner & Secretary Agriculture. Shri.B.Sohliya, OSD Meghalaya
Institute of Enpreneurship gave an overview about the 1917 iTEAMS program
through a power point presentation. He explained about the key concept, rationale,
the program objectives and the architecture of the program, which is planned
for roll out by the department.
A Q&A session
followed thereafter where the stakeholders representing each group were given
opportunity to share their opinion and raise questions about this program. Some
of the stakeholders also give suggestions on integrating Village Level
Entrepreneurs (VLE) from Common Service Centres (CSC) into the program. The VLE
present also expressed their willingness to join as franchisees. The consensus that
emerged from this workshop is that the program, will indeed be very useful for
the farmers of the State and can potentially be a game changer in the
agriculture development of the State.
