Training on ‘Organic Farming for Sustainable Hill Agriculture’ organized at ICAR, Umiam
A seven days training on “Organic Farming for Sustainable Hill Agriculture” was organized by ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam for Subject Matter Specialists (SMS) from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) and other extension personnel. The week long training started from 17th September and ended today on 23rd September. It’s a joint venture of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam along with Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Umiam to develop capacity of extension personnel and researchers on various aspects of organic farming promote scientific “organic farming” in the region.
The Inaugural programme was chaired by Dr. SV Ngachan, the Director of institute. Dr AK Tripathi, Director, ATARI was the guest of honour. The other dignitaries present for the occasion were Dr AS Panwar, Head, Crop Production Division, Dr Arnab Sen, Head, Animal Health and Dr. Satish Chandra, Head, Plant Protection Division in addition to about 20 scientists of icar Complex, Umiam and ATARI, Umiam. There were 30 participants for the training from the KVKs and other Institutes.
Speaking on occasion the Director of the institute emphasized on the need for organic farming in the region and he urged the trainees to have a holistic approach towards organic farming. He further added that we should “resort to organic farming to revive our soil and for the ultimate good health”.
The training gave a hands on experience in organic farming with the emphasis being laid on principles of organic farming and its implications in farming practice. The major topics dealt during the sessions were on soil management, crop nutrition, manure management, crop rotation, recycling of nutrient and energy through integrated farming system, weed management and pest and disease management. The topics covered during the session were production aspects, soil management, conversion period, on farm organic manure production, residue recycling, efficient cropping system, farming system, water management, soil biological health, indigenous knowledge, post-harvest management, pest and disease management, marketing, packing, and success stories of organic farming.
Training sessions included field visits to the ICAR fields with practical demonstrations in the field, apart from field visits demonstrations on organic farming were also given at RRTC, Umran. On concluding day, Dr. NS Azad Thakur, Director Incharge emphasized on the need for understanding scientific principles of organic farming and disseminating the ecofriendly technologies to the end users for sustainable ecosystem and healthy food production. Dr. AK Tripathi, Director, ATARI laid emphasis on strengthening collaborations among Institutes to pull resources for disseminating organic farming technologies in the region. Dr. NS Azad Thakur congratulated the trainees and organizer and distributed the certificates to the trainees. The training programme was coordinated by Dr Anup Das, Dr Ramkrusha GI, Dr Jayanta Layek, Dr AS Panwar, Dr AK Mohanty and Dr Rajumoni Bordoloi.
