ICAR Organized One Day Training cum Awareness Programme on Rabi Maize
Division of Crop Production, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya organized the one day training cum awareness programme on Rabi maize on 27 November 2018 with financial support of ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana under the project ‘‘Promoting the improved maize production technology in NEH Region’’ with the objective to create the awareness among the farmers about the importance of maize in the region. Dr. Subhash Babu in his welcome address narrated that there is immense scope of Rabi maize production in North East India.
Dr. R. G. Laha, Director (i/c) ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya while interacting with the farmers, stated that the maize cultivation is a central point in piggery and poultry rearing in NEH Region, commercial and profitable pig and poultry farming may not be possible in the region until unless farmers will not grow their own maize crop in farming system mode, he added. Dr. M. Thoithoi Devi informed to the farmers that cultivation of speciality corn during Rabi season will pay more as compared to the other cereal crops and intercropping of vegetables with Rabi maize will further augment the profitability from a unit piece of land. Dr. Amit Kumar, scientist (Plant Breeding) during his discussion with the farmers stressed on quality seed production aspects of maize. He urged to the farmers to use the quality seed of for getting the optimum returns from maize. Adoption of improved package of practices of maize production is essential for getting the higher yield, he added. He explained the scope opportunities and benefits of growing maize crop with livelihood production in context to North East India. Dr. Subhash Babu, Scientist (Agronomy) and PI, FSRP, ICAR-NEH, Umiam emphasized the role of maize in the holistic approach of farming system and narrated the advantages of growing Rabi maize in Meghalaya. Dr. Bagish Kumar, Scientist (Social Sciences) in his lecture stressed upon the tactical marketing of agricultural produce, especially speciality maize (sweet corn and baby corn) for profitable maximization. He also informed to the farmers about the various schemes of the Government of India. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is one of the very important schemes of the Government of India for the farming community.
Around 150 nos. of farmers from six different villages (Kyrdem, Umroi Madan, Nongrah, Umroi iew, Sliwlar, Labansaro) of Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya were attended the programme. During the programme critical crop production inputs like seeds, neem cake and bio-pesticides were also distributed among the farmers for technological backstopping of maize cultivation in Meghalaya.
The meeting ended with vote of thank to the chair.
