Lembucherra, 17th Nov. 2025: The inaugural ceremony of the CAU Regional Agri Fair 2025-26 was held on 17th November 2025 at the College of Agriculture, Kyrdemkulai, Meghalaya. The event was graced by several distinguished dignitaries, including His Excellency, Hon’ble Governor Shri C.H. Vijayashankar as the Chief Guest; Shri Timothy D. Shira, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Fisheries and Tourism, Government of Meghalaya; Shri Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Government of India; and Shri H.C. Chaudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor of Meghalaya, who attended as Guests of Honour.
The function was presided over by Dr. Anupam Mishra, Hon’bleVice-Chancellor, Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal. Prof. Ph. Ranjit Sharma, Director, Directorate of Extension Education, served as the Director & Organizing Secretary, while Prof. Ram Singh, Dean, College of Agriculture, Kyrdemkulai, served as the Local Organizing Secretary. The programme was also attended by the Directors of ICAR-ATARI Zones VI & VII, Directors of CAU, Deans of constituent colleges, eminent scientists, representatives of Krishi VigyanKendras, and officials from various line departments.
The event, organized by the Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, revolved around the theme “Reaching the Last Mile with Agri Revolution – Cultivating Hope One Mile at a Time.”
In his address, His Excellency, Hon’ble Governor Shri C.H. Vijayashankar, noted that India is an agrarian nation with nearly 70% of its population dependent on agriculture for livelihood. He emphasized that national development is closely linked to the welfare of farmers and stressed that agriculture and forests together form the foundation of sustainable growth. He described the Regional Agri Fair as a celebration of India’s agricultural heritage and acknowledged the vital role of CAU, Imphal in promoting technological progress in the sector. He praised Meghalaya as a land of Ayurveda, natural beauty, and positive energy, inhabited by people who live in harmony with nature.
Shri Timothy D. Shira, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Fisheries and Tourism, highlighted the various schemes and policies implemented in Meghalaya that have brought significant benefits to farmers across the state.
Shri Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, expressed enthusiasm about the drone technology initiatives undertaken by CAU (Imphal). He lauded the achievements of the university and its constituent colleges, raised concerns regarding market access for North Eastern organic produce, and encouraged CAU to intensify efforts to uplift the region’s agricultural ecosystem.
In his presidential address, Dr. Anupam Mishra, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, CAU, Imphal, elaborated on the theme of the fair and outlined a visionary roadmap for transforming agriculture in Northeast India by 2047. He aligned the university’s mission with national initiatives such as Doubling Farmers’ Income, the Digital Agriculture Mission, Atma Nirbhar Bharat, Viksit Bharat 2047, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He emphasized CAU’s commitment to nurturing future-ready agricultural professionals who will drive sustainable and technology-driven growth. He also highlighted that the fair featured 74 stalls set up by Farmer Producer Organizations, entrepreneurs, and agri-startups from across the North East, 8 live demonstration platforms, and 10 food stalls showcasing local cuisines. The event attracted participation from around 1,600 farmers and stakeholders.
The programme included the inauguration of the boys’ hostel and exhibition stalls, as well as the release of the RAF Souvenir, CAU Newsletter, CAU Farm Magazine, and a book. Best Extension Professional Awards were also presented during the ceremony. The inaugural programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Ph. Ranjit Sharma, Director, Directorate of Extension Education, CAU, Imphal.
