Key Takeaways
- A successful awareness program on sustainable farming was held in Mannarghat, involving local farmers and agricultural experts.
- Experts emphasized the importance of soil health, land conservation, and integrated farming systems for enhancing agricultural productivity.
- The event showcased resources like bio-inputs and a new Custom Hiring Centre to support farmers in optimizing their operations.
Event Overview
A field-level awareness and farmer-scientist interaction program titled “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” took place at the Gram Panchayat Hall in Mannarghat, supported by various agricultural institutions. The initiative was collaboratively organized by ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), the Department of Agriculture, and UT-ATMA.
Thirty progressive farmers, comprising 23 men and 7 women, attended the event. Dr. Y. Ramakrishna, Principal Scientist & Head of ICAR-KVK, highlighted the significant relationship between soil health and human well-being. He encouraged farmers to adopt sustainable soil management practices to maintain land productivity.
Dr. Raj Narayan, head of the Division of Horticulture and Crop Improvement at ICAR-CIARI, addressed the need for land conservation strategies. He discussed methods to prevent soil erosion and protect fertile topsoil essential for future agriculture. In addition, Shri Madhu from the Department of Agriculture provided information about available bio-inputs and their applications. He also introduced the newly inaugurated Custom Hiring Centre (CHC) at Chouldari, urging farmers to leverage its machinery for greater productivity.
Dr. Zachariah George, an Animal Science specialist at ICAR-KVK, stressed the importance of dairy farming within integrated systems. He explained how livestock can foster natural farming ecosystems through organic manure utilization.
The Chief Guest, Smti. Sajida Banu, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Mannarghat, praised the partnership among KVK, CIARI, the Department of Agriculture, and UT-ATMA. She emphasized that such initiatives empower rural communities by delivering essential scientific knowledge directly to them. The event wrapped up with a formal vote of thanks from Smti. Sunita Kumari, Assistant Technology Manager at ATMA.
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