Three days training cum awareness programme on “Integrated pest management in organic farming”
A three days training cum awareness programme on “Integrated pest management in organic farming” was organized by the Division of Crop Production, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam during the 21st-23rd January, 2019 in three adopted villages viz., Mynsain, Pynthor & Umden Umbathiang of Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya under the Network Project on Organic Farming (NPOF). Altogether 95 farmers from the three villages attended the training. The programme was initiated with the welcome address by Dr. Jaynata Layek, Scientist (Agronomy) and Principal Investigator of NPOF project. He highlighted the importance of using healthy seeds of resistant varieties, timely sowing, crop rotation, summer ploughings, intercropping, proper use of manure, etc. for reducing pest, diseases and weed problems in organic farming.
While, Dr. Sandip Patra, explained the integrated pest management practices under organic system for important crops of these villages, Dr. Uptal Dey highlighted the diseases and their management through organic means. Dr. Krishnappa described the symptoms of nutrient deficiencies in plants and their timely management for getting the optimum yield. A day long farmer-scientist interaction programme including visits to various farmers field was held to aware the farmers about organic pest management options for different crops. Various hands on demonstrations were done for preparation and use of vermicompost, panchagavya, vermiwash, extracts of garlic etc. in the training. The bio-pesticides like Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Bacillus thuringiensis, Paecilomyces lilacinus etc. were distributed among the farmers for organic pest management. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Jayanta Layek, Dr. Krishnappa R and Dr. Sandip Patra.
