Three days training programme on “Livelihood improvement of tribal farmers of Meghalaya through minimum and no-till pulses and oilseeds cultivation in rice/maize fallow” concluded
Three days training cum awareness programme on “Livelihood improvement of tribal farmers of Meghalaya through minimum and no-till pulses and oilseeds cultivation in rice/maize fallow” was organized by Division of Crop Production during 18-20th December, 2017 at Agronomy Research Farm, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam under TSP with the objective of effectively utilizing the rice/maize fallow for enhancing farmers income and cropping intensity.
Dr. Anup Das, Principal Scientist and Head (Division of Crop Production) inaugurated the training cum awareness programme and emphasized the importance of cultivation of pulses/oilseed crops in rice/maize fallow by adopting no-till/minimum tillage technology. Dr. Das also explained about the organic farming and growing of maize-frenchbean cropping system for better soil health and reduce cost of cultivation. Dr. Subhash Babu, Scientist (Agronomy) explained the details about the jalkund based farming system, vertical farming, different types of Integrated Farming System (IFS) models etc. Dr. Babu also emphasized that in the farming system model for increasing income there should be one major component as animal. Dr. M. Thoithoi Devi, Scientist (Agronomy) and Dr. Krishnappa, Scientist (Crop Physiology) stressed on the integrated organic farming system, kitchen gardening, raised and sunken bed technology, nutrient management practices, cropping systems, production of vermicompost, etc. Dr. Utpal Dey and Ms. Daphibanri D Lyngdoh also elaborated about the cropping systems (rice-pulse-carrot/frenchbean/carrot/tomato/potato) cropping intensity and nutritional security. Altogether 130 farmers from three villages (Umtung, Labansaru, Liarsluid) of Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya attended the programme.
A field demonstration programme was also organized to make farmers more equipped with furrow making, application of organic inputs (FYM/Vermicompost etc) and sowing of pulses/oilseeds while adopting the no-till/minimum tillage technology under rice/maize fallow. During the programme pulse seeds (pea) etc was distributed among the farmers to support them for increasing farm productivity and income. Leaflets in local language on pea, lentil and frenchbean production in rice/maize fallow were also distributed to the farmers.
