Training cum workshop on model villages held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 30 2015 :
A training cum workshop on selection of villages for development as model villages under Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) was held today at the training hall of DRDA Chandel.
The training cum workshop was jointly organised by DRDA Chandel and the Planning Department which is the State nodal agency of IWMP.
Chandel DC and DRDA Executive Officer Ningthou-jam Geoffrey, Planning Department CEO N Kulkarni and many other officers of relevant departments attended the programme.
While N Geoffrey gave a brief introduction of IWMP, N Kulkarni gave a power point presentation on the same scheme.
Kulkarni said that IWMP was formulated for economic well being of rural people through sustainable development of natural resources which are depleting day by day.
Agriculture and all allied activities are covered by IWMP.
Promotion of organic farming rather than indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is one aspect of IWMP.
Selection of model villages is a prerequisite for implementation of IWMP.
Presence of well defined catchment area, proper drainage system, active self help groups or farmers' clubs and engagement in organic farming are some of the criteria which need to be fulfilled before a village is declared a model village, Kulkarni said.
Moreover, watershed management plans, roads connecting the farm lands to markets and GIS image of the village should be shown to the relevant authority.
A model village selected for implementation of IWMP should have an automatic weather station and a computer set would be provided for uploading IWMP activities undertaken by the village and collection of data for GIS.
Apart from school education, a separate education module would be introduced and the villagers would be given training on information technology, said the Planning Department's CEO.
In addition, special training would be given on watershed management, sustainable development and skill development.
There is a proposal to select 10 villages for implementation of IWMP in Chandel district.