Farmers urged to adopt scientific method of farming for efficacy

[caption id="attachment_120036" align="alignleft" width="550"] Zhaleo Rio addressing the farmer–scientist interaction programme at ICAR Research Complex, Medziphema on Thrusday.[/caption] Dimapur, June 8 (EMN): MLA, Zhaleo Rio, who grace the field day cum farmer–scientist interaction programme on pulse cultivation and promotion in Nagaland as a chief guest, urged the farmers to adopt scientific ways of farming to improve the productivity of the farm in a sustainable way. Zhaleo while applauding the initiatives taken by ICAR to uplift the socio-economic condition o the farmers, stressed the need of convergence for development of agriculture and allied sector in the state. The programme was organised by ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre held on June 8, at its campus. The event was organized with an aim to popularise pulse cultivation in Nagaland through demonstration of various pulse crops to increase the area, productivity and production of pulse crop in the state. Joint Director of ICAR Nagaland Centre, Dr. D. J. Rajkhowa, delivered welcome address and also briefed the objective of the programme. He highlighted the role and activities being undertaken by ICAR for the development of agriculture and allied sectors in the state. He also emphasised on increasing the cropping intensity by cultivating pulse crop, especially in the rice fallow and ways to double the farmers’ income by 2022. Senior Scientist of ICAR, Dr. L. K Baishya gave information on status and prospects of pulse cultivation in Nagaland. He also encouraged the farmers to popularise local pulse crops of the state and request participation in participatory seed production of pulse crop. Prof. R C Gupta, Dr.Lallan Ram; Captain G Dhananjaya Rao and Hemant Kumar also addressed the gathering. Various farm inputs including seeds of pulse crops, paddy seed, small farm implements, chicks, irrigation pipe, Vermin-bed, vermicompost etc. were also distributed to the farmers by the chief guest. Zhaleo also inaugurated exhibition where 8 organisations and input dealers showcased their technologies and produce to the farmers. At the end of the session, a farmers-scientist interaction programme was held wherein resource persons from ICAR Nagaland Centre, Bio-control Lab, Medziphema, NRC on Mithun, KVK Longleng, KVK Dimapur addressed the problems raised by the farmers. More than 253 farmers from different region of the state attended the programme.