ICAR-NOFRI Empowered Arunachal Farmers with Organic Vegetables and Spices Production Techniques
ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI), Tadong, Gangtok in collaboration with Young Mission Adventure Club, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh organized three-day training on ‘Livelihood Security through Organic Vegetables and Spices Cultivation’ under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) for the progressive tribal farmers of West Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh at ICAR Tadong. A total of 16 nos. of progressive farmers of Darak Farmers Club of West Siang District travelled on self-financed education program to learn the organic vegetables and spices production techniques at ICAR-NOFRI. A group of similar farmers were educated at ICAR-NOFRI in 2015 also.
During the program, Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI highlighted the relevance of this training program for promoting the organic vegetables and spices cultivation in North East Region. He emphasized on the need for good soil health in organic production system. He also discussed in detail the ‘concept of physico-chemical and microbiological properties of soil in relation to soil health’. He further said that we would look forward for long term association with Arunachal people in organizing more of similar training programs.
Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) coordinated the program and also detailed on the ‘Organic vegetable production techniques; and ‘Plasticulture techniques for quality vegetable production’. Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) talked on ‘Good agriculture practices in organic vegetable and spices production’; Dr. Matber Singh, Scientist Senior Scale (Agroforestry) deliberated on Organic large cardamom production techniques’; Dr. R. Gopi, Scientist Senior Scale (Plant Pathology), discussed the ‘Insect pest and disease management in organic vegetables and spices’; Shri Shaon K. Das, Scientist (Soil Science) detailed the ‘Integrated organic nutrient management’, Mr. Boniface Lepcha, Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture), discussed the ‘Organic nursery raising and disease management of vegetable crops’. Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Senior Scientist (Animal Reproduction) discussed the importance of animals in organic agriculture and horticulture production system. He also discussed backyard poultry and piggery management techniques during the training program.
Interactive discussions were held with the farmers on technologies developed by ICAR-NOFRI for quick and easy transfer of the technologies; farmers showed keen interest and appreciated the efforts of ICAR. All the team members also visited the ICAR-NOFRI Research Farm and were briefed about the ongoing research and development activities. During the program Joint Director also distributed the mushroom spawn and plastics to the farmers. Giving the feedback of the program Mr. Beyi Potom and Mr. Mobom Potom said that program was well organized and scientists delivered all possible details of organic crop production techniques in short time.
