Aizawl, May 27, 2025
The Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre (MIRSAC) proudly unveiled and handed over its much-anticipated Atlas & data prepared under the NEC funded project – “Large Scale Mapping of Wet Rice Cultivation Potential Areas in Mizoram” at a ceremony held this morning at the Aijal Club, Aizawl. This landmark event not only celebrates the completion of a highly complex geospatial endeavor, but also underscores MIRSAC’s unwavering commitment to leveraging space-borne technologies for the State’s agricultural advancement.
The program commenced with an inaugural address by Pu Lalmalsawma Pachuau, Secretary of the Planning and Programme Implementation Department, who chaired the release function. In his remarks, Pu Pachuau praised the collaborative spirit that drove the project—from initial government recommendation through rigorous satellite mapping and field validation—and lauded the North Eastern Council’s crucial funding support.
Following the opening, Pu H. Lalsawmliana, Chief Scientific Officer & Member Secretary of MIRSAC, formally handed the first copy of the Atlas to Mr. R.Lalnunzira, Director, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department – symbolizing the seamless transfer of geospatial intelligence from research to action. This was followed with a speech by the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Mr. P.C. Vanlalruata. In his speech, the Minister highlighted that the‘Atlas is more than a collection of maps—it is a strategic instrument that will guide our policies, empower our extension officers, and ultimately enhance the livelihoods of Mizoram’s rice farmers. By harnessing precise, high-resolution data, we can target interventions, optimize resource allocation, and expand cultivation in a sustainable manner.’
The programme was attended by Secretaries of Agriculture and PHED, Officers and Members of MIRSAC Governing body, Officials from various line departments, media personnel and representatives/field staff from 11 District Agriculture Office of the state.
After the Atlas handover, the hall transitioned to the second session: a hands-on Capacity Building Workshop for departmental stakeholders. Led by MIRSAC Scientists, the session provided live demonstrations on how the project was executed, understanding the concepts of site suitability analysis and link road planning, hands-on handling of spatial data generated by the project through open-source software and mobile apps, navigating the project’s data in interactive dashboard, querying site-suitability layers, and exporting maps for localized planning.
