“Training cum field demonstration on no-till maize-french bean cultivation in farmers field under organic production system”
One day training cum demonstration programme on “Training cum field demonstration on no-till maize-french bean cultivation in farmers field under organic production system” was organized by the Division of Crop Production, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam on the 2nd May, 2018 at Mynsain village adopted under the Network Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya with the objective of to double the cropping intensity, enhance crop productivity and income of farmers. Altogether 30 farmers from 3 villages under the project viz., Mynsain, Pynthor & Umden Umbathiang gathered at Mynsain village to attend the programme.
Dr. Jayanta Layek, Scientist (Agronomy) and project investigator of NPOF project, inaugurated the training cum demonstration programme and emphasized the importance of conservation tillage technology. He also emphasized how the technology can help the farmers to reduce cost of cultivation, take two crops without irrigation and meet the increasing demand of green vegetables and pulses in the region. Dr. Utpal Dey explained about the management of insect pest and diseases by using Neem oil or Karanjin for insects and bio-control agents (Trichoderma harzianum + Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 5kg each/ha for soil borne diseases. In this context, he also elaborated the use of neem cake (@ 250-400 kg/ha) for managing the nematode infestations. Miss Daphibanri D. Lyngdoh also elaborated about the benefits of intercropping maize and leguminous crop such as soybean, french bean etc. for increasing productivity and improving the soil fertility.
The field demonstration programme was also organized to make farmers more equated with furrow making, intercropping, application of FYM, rock phosphate and lime and the benefits of intercropping of cereals with leguminous crops. At the end of the programme inputs such as seeds of maize, soybean and bean etc. were distributed among the farmers to support them for increasing farm productivity and income. The area covered under no-till maize intercropping with soybean-french bean cultivation is around 1.5 ha.
