A two days Workshop on “Effective use of Geospatial Technology in Agriculture and Allied Sectors in North Eastern Region” was organized at NESAC during November 21-22, 2017. Dr. P.V.N. Rao, Deputy Director (RSAA), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad graced the inaugural session as Chief Guest and Dr. Narendra Prakash, Director, ICAR Research Complex (RC) for North Eastern Hill (NEH) Region, Umiam (Meghalaya) was the Guest of Honour.
Around 60 delegates representing NRSC, Hyderabad, Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, Mahanalobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC), New Delhi, ICAR (RC) for NEH Region, Umiam (Meghalaya), Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, College of Veterinary Sciences (CVSc), Guwahati, College of Post Graduate Studies (CPGS), Umiam (Meghalaya), Biswanath College of Agriculture, Biswanath Chariali, National Horticulture Board, Guwahati, Rubber Board, Guwahati, Spices Board, Shillong, Coir Board, Guwahati, Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Guwahati, State Remote Sensing Application Centres (SRSAC) of NEH Region, State Department of Agriculture & Allied Sectors of NEH Region, Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank Limited, Shillong, Kriptoblocks, Begaluru delivered lectures in the workshop. There were four Technical Sessions viz. Space technology applications in agriculture and allied sectors in NER, Space technology: challenges & requirements for hill agriculture, Challenges of space technology applications in agriculture and allied industries in NER and Emerging trends in space technology applications in agriculture & allied sectors in NER. All the deliberations were of immense help to take stock of the space technology applications in agriculture and allied sectors in NER and this will help to frame out the future requirements of space technology applications, possible operational services and research. The concluding session of the workshop was graced by Shri D.L. Wangkhar, IES, Director, Economics & Statistics, Govt. of Meghalaya as Chief Guest and Dr. B.C. Deka, Director, ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI) Zone-VII, Umiam, Meghalaya as the Guest of Honour.
At the concluding session NESAC proposed the formation of working groups constituting members from NESAC, State Remote Sensing Centres, State departments of Agriculture and Allied sectors in NER towards developing a comprehensive North Eastern Agricultural Informatics System. NESAC will be coordinating with State Remote Sensing Centres, ICAR, Agricultural Universities and State Departments of Agriculture and allied sectors towards preparing comprehensive work plan for the priority areas identified during the workshop.