Three days training on “Scope, importance and cultivation practices of underutilized potential crops for improving farmer’s livelihood” organized at ICAR Mizoram Centre, Kolasib under AICRN on Potential Crops
A three days training programme on “Scope, importance and cultivation practices of underutilized potential crops for improving farmer’s livelihood” has been successfully organized from 28th to 30th January 2021 at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Mizoram Centre, Kolasib-Mizoram under AICRN on Potential Crops. The objective of the training was to impart knowledge on importance of underutilized crops (perilla, winged bean and faba bean), its cultivation practices with an integrated approach in Mizoram to enhance farmer’s livelihood. Altogether 36 farmers have actively participated from various villages of Kolasib district. The training was inaugurated by Dr I. Shakuntala, Joint Director, ICAR Mizoram Centre with an introductory briefing on ‘scope and importance of underutilized potential crop for Mizoram’. Mr Jeetendra Kumar Soni (Scientist-Agronomy) welcomed the participants and explained the ways and methods for cultivation practices of perilla, winged bean and faba bean in Mizoram. Mr Sunil Kumar Sunani (Scientist-Plant Pathology) delivered lecture on diseases and pest management of underutilized crops. Dr Amit Kumar (Scientist-Pant Breeding) from ICAR Umiam delivered a lecture on scope and importance of underutilized crop for northeastern regions of India via online platform. Farmers also got acquainted with knowledge on importance of integrated farming system by integrating IFS components like vermicomposting techniques and soil health management, backyard poultry farming, pig rearing, fish farming and utilization of its by-products to sustain the farming system in zero budget model. An exposure visit to farm and vermicomposting unit was arranged. At the end of the training programme, vermicompost, winged bean and coriander seeds were distributed to the farmers. In her concluding remark, Dr I. Shakuntala, Joint Director, ICAR Mizoram Centre appreciated the farmers for their interest in cultivation of underutilized crops under IFS system in a scientific way, that will help in improving their livelihood. The programme was coordinated by Mr Jeetendra Kumar Soni and Mr Suni Kumar Sunani. During the programme, all scientific and non-scientific staff of Centre gave their valuable contribution to the success of this training.
