PASIGHAT, Jun 20: The ICAR AP Centre Basar, in collaboration with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of East Siang district organized a training programme on integrated pest management (IPM) and integrated nutrient management (INM) in the citrus cum input distribution programme for doubling farmer’s income here at the KVK-ATIC building, College of Horticulture & Forestry (CHF), Central Agricultural University.
In his inaugural address, Dean of College of Horticulture & Forestry, Dr AK Pandey emphasized on the importance of quality seed and planting material; IPM in fruit and vegetable crops, and role of soil testing in integrated nutrient management for increasing production and productivity of horticultural crops in the state.
Dr Pandey advised the scientists of KVK East Siang and ICAR-AP centre Basar to promote organic-based farmer-friendly technologies for doubling farmers’ income by 2022 in the state.
Prof BN Hazarika, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat, appraised the progressive Citrus growing farmers of East Siang district about the future prospects and strategies taken up by the Central Agricultural University and ICAR for increasing production and productivity of fruit crops in the region.
He also briefed the farmers about the importance of quality planting material and soil health management for doubling their income.
Earlier, Dr H Kalita, joint director of ICAR AP Centre, Basar highlighted the activities performed by the centre for the benefit of the farming community of Arunachal Pradesh. Dr Kalita also emphasized on importance of quality planting material, role of bio-fertilizers and bio pesticides in management of soil, and pest and diseases in citrus crop.
Later Dr M Pathak, Head of KVK East Siang, Pasighat and Toge Riba, SMS Plant Protection delivered lectures on role of integrated disease management and integrated pest management for improving the socio-economic condition of the farm families in the region.
During the farmers-scientist interaction programme, progressive farmers of the district, such as Oti Sitang, Yadi Gao, Jakut Modi, Pumto Perme and Tabir Tatan highlighted the scenario of horticulture in general and citrus orchards in particular in the district. They also urged the gathering to adopt quality planting material and integrated nutrient management approaches for higher crop production.
The progressive farmers also interacted with the scientists and expressed their views on fruit crop production and protection in the district.
Later, bio-fertilizers, neem based organic manure and soil conditioner, neem oil, bio-pesticides and paddy seeds of variety P-1612 were distributed among selected farmers of the district.
Sixty-eight progressive farmers from Mebo, Pasighat, Ruksin and Nari blocks attended the programme.
