Training cum demonstration prog on zero Lentil
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 28 2013:
ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre, Imphal and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Thoubal organised an awareness cum training and demonstration programme on "Enhancing lentil production in Eastern and North-Eastern states for nutritional security and sustainable rice-based production system in India" under DAC-ICARDA-ICAR, collaborative project on NFSM-pulses and to conduct the demonstration of lentil in 13 ha area as a cluster out of 60 ha area to be covered in this district.
The ICAR, Manipur centre has distributed quality seeds of Garden pea (500 kg) Lentil (200 kg), Potato (1000 kg), Rape Seed Mustard M-27 (300 kg), Onion seeds, Cauliflower seed and Fertiliser during the programme.
The programme was graced by Md Abdul Nasir, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Govt of Manipur as the chief guest; G Shamu Kabui, Director (Agriculture) as the guest of honour and Dr N Prakash, Joint Director, ICAR, Manipur centre as the president.
The Minister praised ICAR Manipur Centre for pioneering such activities in Thoubal District and urged the farmers to usher in greener revolution with rabi crops.
G Shamu Kabui, Director (Agriculture) too welcomed ICAR for the new venture in Lentil (Masoori dal) cultivation as second crop.
Dr N Prakash in his presidential address explained why lentil cultivation as a new venture in North East hill states is being taken up in Manipur.
He further mentioned that it would not only raise the farmers' income but also would improve the soil fertility.Dr I Meghachandra Singh, Principal scientist, ICAR, Manipur centre; Punitha P, Scientist (Agri Extension), were also present on the programme.
The demonstration programme on fertilizer cum seed drill on zero tillage lentil cultivation was conducted by Dr Meraj Alam Ansari, Scientist (Agronomy) ICAR, Manipur centre.
After the demonstration programme, the resource persons namely Arun Kumar Singh, SMS (Agronomy), Gunamani Singh, SMS (Plant Breeding) of KVK, Imphal West and Dr ThoiThoi Singh (Programme Coordinator, KVK Thoubal) trained the farmers on different rabi crops cultivation.
Many senior farmers and heads of different locality of Lilong area attended the programme with enthusiasm to learn the new technology in the form of zero tillage cultivation after rice harvesting.