KVK Ri-Bhoi Inaugurated Skill Development Training Programme.
The Skill Development training programme of 200 hours with 20 participants each from 22nd February to 18th March, 2017 on “Floriculturist-Protected Cultivation” and “Mushroom Grower-Small Entrepreneur” was inaugurated on the 22nd February 2017 at KVK Ri-Bhoi Conference Hall. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. S.V.Ngachan, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam in presence of Dr. Bagish Kumar, Scientist (Agricultural Extension), ICAR-ATARI, Zone III, Dr. Mokidul Islam, Senior Scientist & Head of KVK Ri Bhoi, SMS and staff of KVK Ri Bhoi. A total of 40 farmers/farm women, rural youth and school drop outs were participated from different villages of Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya.
Dr. S.V. Ngachan, Director, ICAR RC for NEH Region, Umiam, stressed on the importance of value addition and post harvest techniques in floriculture since flowers are very perishable in nature. He also briefed the farmers about the importance of proper planning for marketing of any entrepreneurial activity. He also asked the farmers to utilize their smart phone for getting various information’s regarding their agricultural activities, marketing opportunities’ etc and not only for social media like facebook, whats App etc. He also briefed the farmers about the various types of mushroom, advantages of mushroom and the high price fetched by mushroom in the recent years. He also cited an example of a mushroom farmer in Tripura who supported his family and his children education from mushroom cultivation. The farmers from a village near Smit in Meghalaya who started mushroom cultivation in large scale after attending training in Solan. At last, the Director advised the farmers to form Cluster/Groups so that it will be easier to conduct entrepreneurial activities. He also promised that ICAR will help the farmers in terms of inputs, technology and trainings for the improvement of knowledge, skills and livelihood of farming community.
Dr. Bhagish, said that the government had created a new ministry, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for skill up gradation and development of the farmers. Thus, the farmers should take this opportunity in order to learn about the skill of floriculture and mushroom cultivation in order to earn additional income and to improve their livelihood.
The Head of KVK Ri-Bhoi , Dr. Mokidul Islam welcomed the dignitaries and participants and talked about the need of skill development training programme in order to get employment and provide employment to others and to improve their knowledge and skills for entrepreneurship.
The programme was concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Utpal Baruah, SMS(Horticulture).
