CHF Dean emphasises importance of seed, soil testing for better productivity

PASIGHAT, May 5: Dean of College of Horticulture & Forestry (CHF), Central Agricultural University, Dr AK Pandey emphasized on the importance of seed and planting material, soil testing and of integrated nutrient management for increasing the production and productivity of horticultural crops in the district.
He was addressing training cum input distribution programme for doubling farmers’ income organized by the ICAR AP Centre Basar in collaboration with East Siang Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at KVK-ATIC building CHF, Central Agricultural University here on Saturday.
Altogether, 65 progressive farmers from Nari, Mebo, Pasighat and Ruksin blocks of the district attended the programme.
Pandey advised the KVK scientists to promote organic based farmer-friendly technologies for doubling farmers’ income by 2022 in the state.
Dean College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat, Prof BN Hazarika appraised the progressive citrus growing farmers of East Siang district about the future prospects and strategies taken up by the university and ICAR for increasing production and productivity of fruit crops in the region. He also briefed the farmers about the importance of planting material and soil health management for doubling farmers’ income.
Basar ICAR AP Centre Joint Director Dr H Kalita also emphasized on importance of planting material, management of soils and use of improved seeds and proven technologies for improving the socio-economic condition of the farm families in the region.
Later, during a farmers-scientist interaction programme, progressive farmers of the district Jakut Modi, Pumto Perme and Tabir Tatan highlighted the scenario of citrus orchards in the district and also urged the gathering to adopt quality planting material and integrated nutrient management approaches for higher crop production.
Further, 6,500 seedlings of khasi mandarin, 30 litre of neem oil, 30 knapsack sprayers along with 60 packets of copper oxychloride were distributed among selected citrus cultivating farmers of the district.