CAU dean bats for promoting micronutrients
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 31 2023:
A two-day training programme on 'Impact of sulphur, boron, zinc and molybdenum on soya bean, rapeseed, black gram, chickpea, groundnut, tomato, onion and potato', organised by All India Coordinated Research Project on Micro and Secondary Nutrients and Pollutant Elements in Soils and Plants (AICRP-MSPE) CAU, Imphal Centre, was inaugurated at the conference hall of Central Agricultural University (CAU) on Friday.
Speaking as chief guest of the function, CAU director (Extension Education) Prof Ph Ranjit Sharma urged all concerned to take hill advantage of the training programme.
CAU has been helping farmers in resolving insect infestations on their crops, which occur from time to time.
With regard to the programme, he expressed elation on seeing young trainees and as such, encouraged all to absorb the scientific knowledge being imparted and share the same with their fellow farmers.
In her speech, College of Agriculture, CAU dean and PI Prof Indira Sarangthem informed that the soil in Manipur has deficiency of key micronutrients including 80 percent deficiency of sulphur, with Imphal East along having a deficiency of 40 percent.
Although the quantity of micronutrients, zinc, sulphur and boron are miniscule, farmers need to be aware that they are very much required in the growth of plants.
CAU launched the AICRP-MSPE project in December, 2015 and took samples for testing from two districts in the valley.
The test results show that the yield of crops could be increased by adding sulphur.
As such, the programme was taken up at different places of the state, she conveyed.
Prof Indira continued that the micronutrients not only assist in the growth of plants but are also good for the human body.
She then urged the attending farmers to apply the knowledge they will gain from the training programme and help increase the crop yield of the state.
The inaugural function was also attended by College of Agriculture, CAU (Horticulture) Prof U Chaoba; College of Agriculture, CAU (Agronomy) Prof L Nabachandra and College of Agriculture, CAU, Department of Entomology dean Prof Kh Ibohal as guests of honour.