Kisan Diwas and Field Day organized on the occasion of “Swachhata Pakhwada”
A ‘Kisan Diwas’ and ‘Field Day’ on Conservation agriculture based Rabi Maize production Technology was organized on 24th December, 2019 at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura Centre, Lembucherra. The programme was organized in collaboration with KVK West Tripura and KVK South Tripura”. The programe was organized under the theme of ‘waste to wealth’. The ICAR Tripura Centre is celebrating Swachhta Pakhwada during 16 to 31 December, 2019 and various activities like cleanliness and sanitation drive in ICAR Campus, off-campus, adopted village (Brahmapushkini), solid waste management, rainwater harvesting etc. are being organised. Kisan Diwas was organised to create awareness on various aspects of cleanliness and sanitation and their impact on environment and healthy life. A total 81 farmers from different districts of Tripura namely South Tripura and West Tripura had participated along with Scientists and experts from ICAR Tripura Centre and KVKs with great enthusiasm. Dr. Biswajit Das, Joint Director (I/C) of ICAR, Tripura Centre presided the inaugural function. Mrs. Anatara Sarkar Deb, Sabhadhipati, Paschmim Tripura Zilla Parishad, Agartala was present as chief guest and Mr. Haridulal Acharjee, Sahakari Sabhadipati, Paschmim Tripura Zilla Parishad, Agartala as guest of honor. Among others Dr. K. K. Barman, Principal Scientist (Soil Science), Dr. S.P. Das, Principal Scientist (Plant Breeding) were present in the program and shared their thought on Swachhata Pakhwada and pollution free environment with right application of bio- fertilizer and ecofriendly pest management. At the outset a brief over view of the programme and objectives were highlighted by Dr. Anup Das, Principal Scientist, Agronomy and coordinator of the program. The program was commenced with technical session on waste management by Dr. Lopamudra Sahoo; conservation agriculture based maize production by Gulab Singh Yadav and water saving technologies by Dr. H Bharti, Scientists of the ICAR Tripura Centre. The programme was then followed by farmers’ scientist - interaction where some of the farmers expressed their problems related to agriculture and allied sectors to which Scientists from ICAR Tripura Centre and Experts from KVKs replied suitably. Mrs Antara Sarkar Deb, Chief Guest of the function asked farmers to make swachhta (cleanliness) a part of their daily life to live a healthy life and adopt scientific farming practices for improving productivity and income. Sri Haridual Acharjee appreciated the effort of ICAR- Tripura Centre and asked farmers to move step by step towards organic production system for healthy food and sustaining ecosystem. Few progressive farmers shared their experience on the technologies by which they substantially increased their income. Mr. Nepal Debnath from Brahmanpuskini, West Tripura shared his experience of converting his low land rice field to innovative lablab bean (Sem) – Spine gourd (karkaol)/ash gourd systems and adoption of integrated vegetable farming practices by which he is earning Rs. 3 lakh/kani. Mr. Biswajit Majumdar, from Sabroom, South Tripura narrated his story of how he converted his life from a land less farmer to owning about 2 ha land today and how he is earning about 25 lakh rupees per annum today by adopting integrated farming system involving fishery, vegetables, oilseeds, honeybee, oil extraction, feed mill etc. During the occasion, seeds of maize, okra, vegetable pea, bitter gourd, cowpea etc. were distributed to the participating farmers by the dignitaries. During field day, various aspects of conservation agriculture based maize production technology were demonstrated to farmers and farmers learned the improved practice by hands on and interaction with experts. An exhibition on improved technologies and crop varieties was also organized on the occasion. The programme was ended with vote of thanks by Dr. Gulab Singh Yadav, Sceintist, Agronomy.
