IGNOU to launch Agricultural programmes in Northeast

New Delhi, November 20 (Agencies): North- East India is expected to get a major fillip as Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is gearing up to start several Diploma and Certificate programmes in Agriculture, announced Prof. Omprakash Mishra, Pro Vice Chancellor, IGNOU. Prof. Mishra was addressing the North- East India National Seminar–cum-Consultation on "Strengthening Development Processes in North- East India: Identifying Scope and Challenges in Development and Governance", in the capital.
The Agriculture programmes being launched by IGNOU in the North-East are PG Diplomas in Food Safety and Quality Management, Plantation Management; Diploma programmes in Value Added Products from Fruits and Vegetables, Dairy Technology, Meat Technology, Value Added Products from Cereals, Pulses and Oilseads, Fish Products' Technology, Watershed Management; as well as Certificate programmes in Organic Farming, Sericulture, Water Harvesting and Management, Beekeeping and Poultry Farming. IGNOU is also offering a PG Certificate programme in Agriculture Policy.
 The Seminar was jointly organized by IGNOU's North- East Centre for Research & Development (NECRD) and North East Development Foundation (NEDF). The day-long deliberation and consultation focused on strengthening development processes in North- East India. The Chief Guest at the Seminar was Mr. U K Sangma, Secretary, North Eastern Council.
 The Consultation had been organized with a broad objective to discuss research and facilitate development in the North- East region. It was attended by Subject experts from international organizations like UNESCO as well as academics, such as Mr A Parasuramen, Director, India, UNESCO; Mr CL Ruala, Member Parliament, Mizoram; Mr Ashish Vacchani, Deputy Director, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration; Ms. Tiplut Nongbri, JNU;  Mr Amitabh Nag, Head, Central Government Business, TCS; Prof. Gautam Barua, Director, IIT Guwahat ,Dr Sujata Dutta Hazarika, Deputy Director, NECRD and  Mr SS Kazi, Lead Partner, NEDF,  among others.
Stressing on the essential linkage between development and governance in the North- East region, Mr Sangma said, "Development and governance cannot be antithetical. Various stakeholders have to come together to ensure sound development and governance framework in NER". He emphasized upon rural development, which is possible through self- help groups working on a common platform, and the development of Tourism for the economic development of the region.
In his speech, Prof. O.P. Mishra PVC, IGNOU, said that the National Seminar-cum-Consultation is the first programme in collaboration with the NEDF. He further commented that, "IGNOU is the largest educational player in the world, running 335 programmes and serving the educational aspirations of around 2.5 million students in the country. Among these, a large number of students are from North-East India. NECRD is a unique organization, launched recently to develop research in the North- East region".
A number of suggestions came up during the Consultation, viz the need for a proper communication network and Eco-system balance in the region. Subject experts also emphasized on the importance of tourism and HR development in NE. They stressed on the need for capacity building in schools and universities across the country and the need to promote the indigenous knowledge of the North –East Region.