PASIGHAT, 24 Mar: A state-level seminar on ‘Boosting farmers’ income through spices cultivation in Arunachal Pradesh’ was organized on 22 and 23 March at the CHF, CAU, here in East Siang district under the Central Sector Scheme-Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture under the financial support of Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD), Calicut.
Inaugurating the programme, Chancellor of the Central Agricultural University in Imphal, Dr S Ayyappan stressed on quality planting material generation and branding of spices, besides suggesting ways to minimise post harvest losses. The chancellor also encouraged periodic meets for stakeholders.
CHF Dean Prof BN Hazarika highlighted the importance of spices cultivation in Arunachal Pradesh and also encouraged the farmers to grow cash crops like ginger and turmeric.
Assistant Director of Spices Board, Dr BD Sarma spoke on the role of the spices board in boosting spices cultivation in Arunachal Pradesh. He also elaborated the quality standards to be maintained for spice export.
Associate Professor from CPGS Meghalaya, Dr P Dutta delivered a presentation on organic disease management of spices. The speaker strongly encouraged the use of biopesticides against insects, pests and diseases.
Deputy Director of Research, CAU, Imphal Dr AK Mishra emphasized on the importance of primary processing of spices, while Vegetable Science HoD Dr C Deo highlighted the recent advances in spices.
Assistant Professor Dr ND Bhutia discussed about advanced cultivation practices with respect to hybrid development of king chilli.
Several other speakers delivered their presentations on various aspects of spices cultivation, processing and marketing.
Associate Professor Dr Pranabjyoti Sarma briefed about the activities carried out under the CSS-MIDH. He said that such seminars, stakeholder meets and buyer-seller meets “will definitely help solve the challenges facing by the spice growers.”
Later, East Siang Superintendent of Police PK Mishra distributed certificates among 46 participants, who were mostly HDOs, ADOs, KVK SMSs and AFAs from different districts of the state.
