ICAR-NOFRI Outfitted Maharashtra Farmers with Organic Farming Techniques
ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute (ICAR-NOFRI), Tadong successfully organized “3-day Training on Organic Farming for Farmers of Bhandara, Maharashtra during November 19-21, 2018 in collaboration with ATMA Bhandara, Maharashtra. A team of 33 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 soil quality in organic farming, he said that all the farm waste need to be recycled in the farm itself to sustain the fertility of soil. He further said that organic farming is a big challenge and we have to identify the market 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) and Dr. Chandan Kapoor, Scientist (Plant Breeding) coordinated the 03-day training program. Both welcomed all the participants and briefed about the various talks and activities undertaken during 3-day training program. Dr. Yadav detailed on the ‘Organic fruit production techniques; and ‘Organic vegetable production techniques’ and Dr. Kapoor talked on ‘Seed production in organic farming’.
During the 03-day training program,; Dr. Raghavendra Singh discussed about ‘Organic farming and organic production standards and conservation agricultural practices for field crop production’; Shri Shaon K. Das, Scientist (Soil Science) deliberated on ‘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’; Ms. Kala Chettri, SRF (Plant Pathology) talked on ‘Disease management in organic production system’. 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 ICAR adopted model village Timpyem, East Sikkim and were briefed about the ongoing research and development activities. Giving the feedback of the program, progressive farmers of Bhandara viz., Shri Vasanta Tulshi Ram, Shri Dewanand Mahadevrao, Shri Tanaji Gopal and Shri Devanand Bhanudasji appreciated ICAR-NOFRI efforts in organizing the training program they said that program was well organized and the training contains all possible details of organic farming techniques. During valedictory session, Shri S.M. Kandwal (Sr. Technical Officer) moderated the program and proposed vote of thanks. Ms. Zangmit Lepcha, Mr. Bandhan Subba, Ms. Reeni Pradhan and Mr. Shambhu Lepcha assisted actively in organizing the program.
Issued by – ICAR-NOFRI, Gangtok
