With the objective of equipping farmers with knowledge, insights, technology, and products to increase their productivity, government departments and agencies organised different programmes for the farming community across the state.
Peren: Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Peren conducted “Kisan Mela” on May 23 at ATMA project director & district fisheries & aquatic resources office in Jalukie, Peren.
In his speech, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Peren and chairman, governing board, Vineet Kumar, asked farmers to listen to experts who know how the ecological imbalance of present scenario can be corrected by observing certain patterns in the cropping system.
To enhance production, Kumar said there was the need for a well-planned farming system, relying on the advice of a technical expert. He also advised the farmers to share their success and failures with the extension workers so that corrective measures can be drawn.
Other highlights of the programme included the release of ATMA Peren district magazine entitled “ATMA Activities at a Glimpse” by the DC and distribution of seed money to four Self Help Groups (SHGs) and four Food Security Groups (FSGs).
The technical session included visual demonstration on soil testing with the aid of Mobile Van by the Department of Soil Conservation Office, by DSCO, Rokovikho Nakhro, ACTO, KVK, James Kikon, deliberated on the importance of vermicompost as a living soil amendment and C. Dory Yanthan, emphasised the importance of high-quality fingerlings.
The importance and preparation of Bijamrita, Bordeaux mixture, Mushroom Oyster cultivation and Neem leaf extract to control insect pests were presented by the ATMA team. More than 100 farmers from different farming backgrounds and blocks, ATMA farmer friends, farm school teachers, SHGs and more than 20 different agri-allied departments attended the programme.
Kiphire: An interactive meeting of scientists, policymakers, implementing agencies and progressive farmers was organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kiphire on May 21 at the meeting hall of 14 NAP IR Battalion, Kiphire.
In his address as the chief guest, principal scientist (soil science) and head, DSRE, ICAR RC for NEH Region, Umiam (Meghalaya), Dr. S. Hazarika, explained the ongoing and future activities of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and KVK under agri and allied sectors. He assured to release funds under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) for taking up application-oriented projects in the district.
Speaking as the guest of honour, Deputy Commissioner, Kiphire, Dr. Temsuwati Longkumer, highlighted the convergence of all the line departments for rapid and lasting improvement of the livelihood of the people in the district. He encouraged ICAR and KVK to take up projects particularly in the development of the piggery and fishery sectors.
During the meeting, certificates of appreciation were distributed to 142 Doubling Farmers’ Income (DFI) farmers of the district and certificates of appreciation were also conferred upon two budding entrepreneurs. The meeting was attended by chairmen of four DFI villages along with 20 representatives of DFI farmers.