An exposure trip for the farmers from East Jaintia Hills to ICAR organized under NFSM.

 

An exposure trip of farmers from East Jaintia Hills fortraining cum demonstration on “Modern agro techniques for rice production” was organized by the Division of Crop Production, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam in collaboration with the Office of the District Agriculture Officer, East Jaintia Hills on 5th March, 2015.

The training programme was organized under NFSM(National Food Security Mission) and was attended by 30 farmers from East Jaintia Hills. The aim of the training was to sensitize the farmers on cultivation of crops such as pulses (pea, lentil, beans etc.), oilseeds (rapeseeds), and vegetables (frenchbean, tomato, carrot, potato etc.) after rainy season rice harvest and highlight the modern agro techniques for rice production.

 

In the inaugural session, Dr. N S Azad Thakur, Directorin-charge, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region gave an account of pest and disease Scenario in rice cultivation and their eco-friendly management for sustainable agriculture. He emphasized the need for enhancing capacity of farmers to adopt improved cultivation practices for enhancing rice productivity and profitability in a sustainable manner. The objective of the exposure trip was to improve the livelihood of the farmers with the use of modern techniques and better farm management practices. Farmers were also given exposure to improved cultivation practices including system of rice intensification, use of farm tools and machinery and cropping system approach involving conservation agriculture practices. The technical staff of the institute also participated in the programme along with the farmers and the scientists of the institute. Dr A. S.Panwar, Head, Division of Crop Production and DrAnup Das, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) addressed the various issues raised by the farmers during the interaction programme.

The programme ended with the field visit were the District Agricultural Officer,Ms. I M Pasweth said that such exposure trips to the field are of immense benefit to the farmers. The practical demonstration enhances the skill and confidence of the farmers.