ICAR-NOFRI Strengthened Nagpur, Maharashtra Farmers with Organic Farming Techniques.
ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute (ICAR-NOFRI), Tadong successfully organized “5-day Inter State Training on Organic Farming and its Opportunities in Agribusiness for Farmers of Nagpur, Maharashtra during February 25 to March 01, 2019 in collaboration with ATMA Umred, Nagpur, Maharashtra. A team of 12 progressive farmers visited ICAR-NOFRI to get equipped with Organic Farming technologies.
During the program, Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI highlighted the importance of organic farming under global climate change scenario, and stated that the organic farming is the best option for climate resilient crop production. He further said that organic farming is a big challenge and we have to identify the market and its proper linking before entering in to the organic farming and organic certification is must to fetch premium price of the organic produce. He also discussed in detail the concept of physico-chemical and microbiological properties of soil and soil health management for organic crop production. He emphasized that crop rotation with leguminous crop is important in organic farming. Joint Director also distributed various ‘Extension Folders on Organic Production Technologies’ and certificates to the trainees.
Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) coordinated the 05-day training program. He welcomed all the participants and briefed about the various talks and activities undertaken during 5-day training program. Dr. Yadav detailed on the ‘Organic fruit production techniques; and ‘Organic vegetable production techniques’.
Dr. Yashoda Pradhan, Ex-CEO, Sikkim State Organic Certification Agency, Govt. of Sikkim discussed in details the ‘Organic Certification and Traceability’. She said that organic certification is essential to fetch premium price of the organic produce.
During the 05-day training program; Dr. Chandan Kapoor, Scientist SS (Plant Breeding) talked on ‘Seed production in organic farming’; Shri Shaon K. Das, Scientist (Soil Science) deliberated on ‘Organic farming and organic production standards’ and ‘Modern techniques for organic nutrient management and soil sampling procedures’; Dr. Sudip Kumar Dutta, Scientist SS (Horticulture) briefed on ‘Organic production of tuber crop; Dr. Matber Singh, Scientist SS (Agroforestry) discussed the ‘Role of agroforestry for enhancement of crop production in organic farming’; Dr. Chandramani Raj, Scientist (Plant Pathology) talked on ‘Insect pest and disease management in organic production system’; Dr. Amit Kumar, Scientist (Agronomy) discussed about and conservation agricultural practices for field crop production’; Ms. Kala Chettri, SRF (Plant Pathology) talked on ‘Organic oyster mushroom production techniques’. Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Principal Scientist, (Animal Reproduction) discussed the ‘Dairy, backyard poultry and goat management techniques and their role in organic farming’.
During the training program, all the members also visited the ICAR-NOFRI Research Farm and were briefed about the ongoing research and development activities. Giving the feedback of the program, Shri Sewak Ram Uikey, Progressive Farmer appreciated ICAR-NOFRI efforts in organizing the training program he said that he is following organic farming techniques by using FYM and cow urine of his dairy unit of 100 cows and earns Rs. 2.0 Lakh per month from dairy unit alone. Mr. Chandrashekhar Khandait, BTM, ATMA Umred said that farmers are actively adopting organic farming in Nagpur and there are 31 groups of organic farming under Umred Taluka of Nagpur District. During valedictory program, Dr. Sudip Kumar Dutta, Scientist SS (Horticulture) proposed the vote of thanks and Shri S.M. Kandwal (Sr. Technical Officer) moderated the program. Mrs. Rajeni Pradhan, Mr. Bandhan Chettri, Mr. Navin Kumar and Ms. Reeni Pradhan assisted actively in organizing the program.
Issued by – ICAR-NOFRI, Gangtok
