The 21 days “Summer School” on “Conservation Agriculture “comes to an end today
The 21 days long summer school on “Conservation Agriculture for Enhancing Resource Use Efficiency and Arresting Land Degradation” sponsored by ICAR, Delhi began on 19th of August concluded today. The chief guest for the valedictory function was the director of NEPA (North East Police Academy) Smt. D.R.Doley Barman. She is an eminent person of the area known for outstanding work for development of the region with avid interest in agriculture, and recipient of various national and international awards. The guest of honor for the occasion was the joint director NEPA, Sh.Anil Kumar. Dr. SV Ngachan, Director, ICAR Complex, Umiam chaired the session. Dr. AK Tripathi, Director, ATARI, Umiam along with Heads, Principal Scientists, Scientists of ICAR Complex, Umiam were also present on the occasion.About 60 scientists, research fellows and trainees attended the function.
The objectives of the training was to provide the scientists and researchers with a thorough understanding of Conservation Agriculture, it can ensure food security to the nation in a sustainable manner. The training comprised of 72 sessions with a total number of 56 lectures along with field visits and practical demonstrations.The 25 trainees from all over India got practical exposure and emphasis was laid on the importance, concepts, principles of CA. Eminent resource persons from across the country including Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, BCKV, Kalyani; Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi; Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal; Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur; Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack; Directorate of Weed Science Research, Jabbalpur; Directorate of Rapeseed and Mustard Research, Bharatpur; AICRP on Honey Bee, New Delhi, Assam Agricultural Universities, Jorhat, North Eastern Space Research Institute, Umiam, Central Agricultural University, Umiam; NBPGR, Shillong shared their experience with the trainees. Opportunities and constraints of conservation agricultural practices in various cropping systems, carbon sequestration and mitigation of climate change, integrated farming systems for food and environmental security, organic farming, agroforestry models for arresting land degradation, pest and disease management strategies under CA systems, integrated soil and water resource management, managing livestock and fishery in changing climate were a part of the training.
Dr. AS Panwar, Head, Division of crop production welcomed the dignitaries, while Dr. Anup Das, Course Director gave a brief highlight of the 21 days training programme.Smt. D.R.Doley Barman, chief guest of the function in her address congratulated the organizer for arranging training on very important aspects of natural resource management and food security. She emphasized on the importance of conservation of natural resources for a healthy present and future. Sh. Kumar emphasized the need for convergence and collaboration to achieve the twin objectives of food security and conserve natural resources. Dr. Ngachan in his presidential address asked the scientific community to gear up for fulfilling the dream of hunger free world and achieve sustainable development in agriculture. He reiterated the dream of prime minister and asked scientific community to adopt villages as a part of ‘my village my pride’ programme. He emphasized on the concept of “Natural economic zone” and the need for ‘per drop more crop’. The Chief Guest and Chairman of the session distributed the certificates to the participants and training coordinating team. Dr. KP Mohapatra, Senior Scientist, Forestry offered the vote of thanks to the dignitaries.
A group of 5 members from the scientific community of ICAR namely Dr AS Panwar, Dr. DJ Rajkhowa, Dr. KP Mohapatra, Dr. Ramkrushna GI, and Dr. JayantaLayek, were the Course Co-directors and Dr. Anup Das, Senior Scientist, Agronomy was the Course Director for the successful training programme.
