Three Days Capacity building Programme on Integrated Framing System organized at ICAR, Lembucherra
A 3 days training programme was organized at ICAR Research Centre for NEH Region, Tripura Centre, Lembucherra on Capacity building of small and marginal farmers on integrated farming system for livelihood improvement during 31st May to 2nd May 2019. A total of 45 farmers from three districts of Tripura namely North Tripura (Madhabpur), Shipahijala (1,Chandra nagar) and Khowai (Nayanpur) had participated in this programme along with Scientists and experts from ICAR Tripura Centre and KVKs with great enthusiasm. The training programme was being organized to develop Capacity of small and marginal farmers on integrated farming system for livelihood improvement.
Dr. B. K. Kandpal, Joint Director of ICAR, Tripura Centre presided the inaugural function of the training programme. At the outset a brief over view of the programme was given by Dr. Anup Das, Principal Scientist, Agronomy and coordinator of the programme. He explained that the training is organized to understand the problems of farmers in their respective area with the objective of developing a participatory programme to be implemented under Schedule caste sub-plan (SCSP). The objective of the programme is to improve livelihood, food and nutritional security of farmers with adaption of farming system approach. Dr. Das also informed that the programme will be implemented in collaboration with KVKs in respective area i.e., KVK Panisagar, Khowai and Bishalgarh. During the three days of training programme different aspects of IFS for improvement of livelihood were covered. During the technical session,Dr. BK Kandpal in his address emphasized the role of scientific farming in improving livelihood of farmers. He stressed on the motivation, team work, dedication and adoption of improved technologies for achieving success in farming. He further informed that in a farming system there is no waste, and waste or output from one enterprise serves as input for other and thereby promote on-farm resource recycling and reduces dependence on external resources. In the event of failure or poor performance of one component of farming due to drought, floods, pests etc. farmer can rely on other component and hence, minimize risks. He also emphasized that to double farmers income mechanization, value addition, seed production, farm diversification with high value crops and entrepreneurship development will play a great role in farmers of Tripura. During interaction farmers expressed their desire to work in collaboration with ICAR for developing capacity and adoption of improved farming practices. It was also learnt during interaction that about 30% farmers are interested in practicing improved pig husbandry, about 60% shown their interest in backyard poultry farming. After a brief interaction programme, seeds of vegetables like cowpea and okra, duck chicks, plant protection chemicals etc. were distributed to the participating farmers by the dignitaries. Dr. K. K. Barman, Principal Scientist (Soil Science), Dr. Lopa Mudra Sahoo, Senior Scientist (Fishery), Dr. G.S. Yadav, Scientist (Aronomy), Dr. Vinay Singh, Scientist, Animal Production and Dr. Satyapriya Singh, Scientist (Entomology) was also interacted with the farmers and shared their thought in respective fields. The three days programme had cover all the aspects of scientific farming like improved crop and livestock varieties/breeds, nursery management, crop, vegetable and fruit production, pig husbandry, backyard poultry farming, composite fish culture, mushroom production, pest management, conservation agriculture practices and soil health management with focus on Integrated Framing system. Farmers were exposed to various practices adopted by ICAR through exposure to field and lab visits during the programme.
