PASIGHAT, 31 Jul: Agricultural scientists and experts suggested growing alternative crops to reduce dependence on water-intensive paddy cultivation during a training-cum-distribution programme under a cluster frontline demonstration (CFLD) programme on oilseed sesame held at the East Siang Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) on Thursday.
Besides agricultural scientists and experts, over 135 farmers attended the programme, which was aimed at addressing the challenges posed by deficient rainfall during the current monsoon season.
In his address, College of Horticulture Dean Prof AHerojit Singh emphasized the urgent need for climate-resilient cropping strategies, particularly under water-stressed conditions. Highlighting the importance of diversification, he encouraged farmers to adopt alternative crops such as sesame to reduce dependency on water-intensive paddy cultivation.
KVK Head Dr Brijendra Singh stressed that sesame, especially the SHT-1 (Champawati) variety, is a viable alternative for farmers facing erratic rainfall. He informed that the KVK has initiated a CFLD programme covering 100 hectares under sesame cultivation to mitigate the adverse effects of climate variability.
Nodal officer of the CFLD programme, Toge Riba, highlighted the strategic direction that the kendra has taken this season in response to the prevailing rainfall deficit and the growing impact of climate change on oilseed cultivation.
Experts from the East Siang KVK, College of Horticulture and Forestry, and the College of Agriculture, Pasighat, conducted technical sessions and offered field-level guidance on best practices for sesame cultivation under deficit rainfall conditions.
During the event, 650 kg of sesame seed (variety SHT-1) was distributed among 135 farmers.
