Training under PKVY programme held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 25 2016:
Farmers' training programme on cluster organic farming under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), was held today at Moirangpurel, Imphal East .
The programme was organized by the Department of Agriculture under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt of India.
Representatives from Green Foundation (a certified NGO working on organic farming) and experts from Central Agricultural University deliberated on the benefits and salient features of organic farming to farmers of the area.
PKVY (Traditional Farming Improvement Programme) is a scheme launched by Government of India to support and promote organic farming and thereby improving soil health.
The yojana aims to encourage farmers to adopt eco-friendly concept of cultivation and reduce their dependence on fertilizers and agricultural chemicals to improve yields, stated Additional Director, Department of Agriculture Ph Rajendro .
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As part of the training programme Moirangpurel has been selected as a potential site to initiate organic farming under the PKVY.
Soil samples were also collected to determine the fertility of the area during the training programme.
He added that for more than four decades farmers have been using artificial fertilizers which have created an impact on soil health and its side effects on humans.
To reduce such harmful effects of artificial fertilizers and encourage farmers to adopt eco-friendly methods of cultivation the area was selected for Imphal East district.
Selected sites of Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Ukhrul district will be covered under the PKVY, he stated.
Different crops suitable with the area will selected for cultivation.
For Moirangpurel, onion and maroi nakupi (Allium tuberosum) will be cultivated, he added.
Further he stated that farmers might have apprehension of less crop production using organic methods.
Loss incurred by the farmers will be well compensated under the PKVY.
When asked on the damage incurred by farmers of the State in the recent hailstorm which wrecked havoc at different parts, he said that assessment will be done with higher authorities and the loss will be compensated.
District Agriculture Officer Kh Ranjit, Deputy Secretary (Agri) N Sanatomba and Deputy Director (Soil Chemist) L Irabot also attended as presidium members of the training programme.