PAGI-II, 26 May: Several farmers participated in a ‘training-cum-input distribution programme under the Tribal Sub-Plan’, organised by the ICAR’s Basar-based regional office at Pagi-II village in Leparada district on Thursday.
During the programme, plant pathology expert Dr Raghuveer Singh presented a brief on the roles and mandates of the ICAR and the technologies developed by the institute. He also highlighted “disease and insect pest management of Khasi mandarin, maize, paddy and king chilli.”
Horticulture scientist Dr Thejangulie Angami explained “nucellar seedling production of Khasi mandarin,” and apprised the farmers of techniques for cultivation of kharif vegetables.
Veterinary parasitology senior scientist Dr Joken Bam spoke about the livestock rearing system and its importance. He made the participants aware of “the infectious diseases of livestock, poultry and mithun prevalent in the region,” and urged the farmers to get their livestock vaccinated.
Agronomy scientist Badapmain Makdoh dwelt on “incorporating short-duration varieties of soya bean” and highlighted “the popularisation of crops like til/sesamum in the district.”
Seeds of kharif vegetables such as cowpea, okra, bitter gourd, brinjal, amaranthus, cucumber and French bean were distributed among the farmers. They were also provided with vermicompost, knapsack sprayers and ginger rhizomes for planting.