ICAR-NOFRI Organized Inter State Training On Organic Farming for Maharashtra Farmers
ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI), Tadong in collaboration with ATMA Pune, Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Maharashtra organized 3-day Training Program for the progressive farmers of Pune, Maharashtra under the dynamic guidance of Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI during December 18-20, 2017 in order to update them with latest organic production technologies. A total of 18 persons participated in the training program.
Coordinating the program, Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) highlighted the relevance of this training program and its impact on production of agriculture and horticultural crops. He said that Sikkim farmers are adopting ICAR-NOFRI improved organic production technologies on large scale. He stressed that the Maharashtra farmers should adopt organic farming which has vast potential. Training certificates were also distributed to the participants.
Addressing the participants, Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) said that this kind of training shall help the farmers to learn the basics of organic farming and some of the ICAR-NOFRI technologies can be replicated by Maharashtra farmer’s especially organic maize and rice production techniques.
Shri Avinash Nirmal, BTM, ATMA, Pune in his address appreciated the ICAR-NOFRI organic production technologies. He profusely thanked Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI for organizing the 3-day Inter State training program for Maharashtra farmers.
During the technical session, Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) discussed about the Organic production technologies of fruits especially mandarins, guava, pomegranate, kiwifruit and other fruits; and ‘Organic high value vegetable production techniques’. Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) discussed about ‘Organic farming, organic production standards’ and ‘Conservation agriculture for organic field crop production’; Dr. Matber Singh, Scientist SS (Agroforestry) talked on ‘Role of Agroforestry for enhancement of crop production in organic farming’; Shri Shaon Kr. Das, Scientist (Soil Science) talked about ‘Organic nutrient management and soil sampling procedures’; Shri Boniface Lepcha, SMS (Horticulture) discussed the ‘Nursery raising technique in organic crop production’; Dr. N. Johnson Singh, SMS (Plant Protection) detailed on ‘Insect pest management in organic production system’; Dr. Chandramani Raj, Scientist (Plant Pathology) talked about the ‘Disease management in organic production system and preparations and applications of biopesticides and biofungicides solutions’. Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Senior Scientist (Animal Reproduction) discussed the ‘Backyard poultry and goat management techniques and their role in organic farming’; Dr. P.K. Pathak, SMS (Animal Husbandry) elaborated the ‘Livestock and piggery management techniques and their role in organic farming’; Dr. A. Anuradha Devi, Assistant Professor, CAU-CAEPHT, Ranipool discussed ‘Agribusiness opportunities in organics and marketing strategies for organic products’ and Ms. Pallabi Phukan, SMS (Agril. Extension), KVK East Sikkim, Ranipool briefed about the ‘Importance of SHGs for upliftment and women empowerment in villages’
Project Director ATMA Pune, Shri Sunil Borkar played key role in jointly organizing this program. During the training program, all the trainees also visited the ICAR-NOFRI Research Farm and were briefed about the ongoing research and development activities. Mr Adarsh Kumar and Ms. Sujata Rai assisted actively in organizing the program.
Issued by – ICAR-NOFRI, Gangtok
