Training on tuber crops concludes at CAU
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 09 2021:
The two-day state level training programme on "Tuber Crops and Their Prospects in North Eastern Region organised by All India Coordinated Research Project-Tuber Crops, Central Agricultural University, Imphal concluded at the conference hall of College of Agriculture, Iroisemba, here on Tuesday.
ICAR-CTCRI Thiruvanan-thapuram, Kerala director Dr MN Sheela, College of Agriculture Imphal Dean Dr Indira Sarangthem and All India Coordinated Research Project-Tuber Crops, CAU Imphal principal investigator Dr Ak Bijaya attended the closing ceremony as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
Speaking at the event, Dr MN Sheela observed that the AICRP-Tuber Crops Centre set up in Imphal is the most advanced centre in the whole northeast region.
Stating that she is satisfied with Cassava plantation taken up in Ukhrul, Kangpokpi and Kamjong districts, Dr Sheela also assured that ICAR-CTCRI Thiruvananthapuram will sponsor whole expenditure for training at the centre in Kerala if farmers of the state are interested in
tuber crop farming training.
She also assured assistance in forming Farmers' Producers' Organisation in the state.
Principal investigator Dr Ak Bijaya said that there are 21 AICRP on tuber crops in the country and the centre in CAU Imphal is one of them.
Officials of horticulture & agriculture departments, ATMA and several SMSs are provided masters' training under the programme so that they can further train farmers.
So far, over 20 such trainings have been organised by the centre, she said.
Under the programme, the centre has completed identification of different tuber crops available in the state including sweet potato and cassava.
CAU Imphal had released CAU U Mangra-1 (cassava variety) in March this year, which is suitable with the soil type of the state.
The variety has shorter tubes and requires less space in plantation.
Commercial plantation of the cassava variety has begun in Laikoi Ching in Kangpokpi district and Nongada in Imphal East district.
Efforts are on to set up a processing unit at Laikoi Ching, Dr Bijaya revealed.
Certificates were distributed to participants of the training at the end of the function.