AWARENESS PROGRAMME ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
ICAR-KVK Ri-Bhoi, Umiam organized an Awareness Programme on Sustainable Agriculture at Marmain village under Umling block of Ri-Bhoi district on 18th November 2016. The programme was organized in collaboration with Society for Action in Community Health (SACH), Shillong. A cluster of seven villages was selected by SACH for undertaking sustainable agriculture activities and sought collaboration with KVK Ri-Bhoi for implementing the programme.
At the outset, Mr. Surendra Panwar, Vice President SACH welcomed the farmers and outlined the various aim and objectives of SACH towards agriculture development in the area.
During the technical session, Dr. Utpal Barua, Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture), KVK Ri-Bhoi expressed his gratitude to SACH and farmers for instituting a common platform for discussion on sustainable agriculture in the locality. The farmers shared their extent of knowledge on scientific agriculture. Therefore, the programme was started with a film show on “Production of nursery seedling under polyhouse” as well as slide show on “Nursery raising of Cole Crops in Low Cost Polyhouse” and “Floriculture as an enterprise” was presented to them. He briefly described the benefits of proper nursery practices as well as the possibilities of income generation through floriculture activities.
Mrs. Mousumi Gohain Das, Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Protection), KVK Ri Bhoi imparted a session on “Pest and disease management of cole crops”, stressing on the need of using organic means of controlling pest and diseases for higher return. She also emphasized on safe use of plant protection chemicals.
Dr. Popiha Bordoloi, Subject Matter Specialist (Soil Science), KVK Ri-Bhoi conducted a session on “Soil Health and Testing as well as a Method demonstration on Vermicomposting”. She further emphasized on the need of organic fertilizers and proper soil management for higher productivity.
A total of 47 farmers participated in the programme along with Mr. Venugopalam M. K, Project Manager, SACH, Ms. Ambrosia Lyngdoh, VDP, SACH, Ms. Wanshida Kharbuli, VDP, SACH and Ms. Cherilyne Wahlang, VDP, SACH. About 40 kg Pea seed (var. Arkel) were distributed to the farmers attending the programme under TSP project.
