Field Day on Rabi oilseeds at Mangaldai

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Darrang at Mangaldai under Assam Agricultural University has taken up special initiatives for productivity enhancement of pulses and oilseeds and nutritional security of rural people in the district of Darrang. During the ongoing rabi season, the KVK has been conducting Frontline Demonstration (FLDs) programmes on Toria and Lentil in the farmers’ field in 10 hectares of land. The main objective of FLDs is to demonstrate newly released crop production, and protection technologies in the farmers fields under different farming situations. While demonstrating the technologies in the farmers fields, the scientists are required to study the factors contributing to higher crop yield and simultaneously the production constraints are identified. As a part of FLDs, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra organised a “Field Day” on Toria (Rapeseed mustard) at Kaikara village of Mangaldai under Patharighat Revenue Circle on 30.01.2010. The objectives of the programme was to provide a platform for: participating FLD farmers to showcase their learning to the larger community.

The meeting was presided over by Gunaram Deka, a noted social worker of the locality. In his welcome address, Dr T.P. Saikia, Programme Coordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra of Nagaon & Darrang districts explained the objective of KVK and requested the farmers to utilize the services of KVK for overall development of their livelihood. P.Gogoi, Senior ADO of Patharighat attended the meeting as Chief Guest. He urged upon the farmers to take initiatives for establishment of the KVK, Darrang at Deomornoi near to their locality and requested them to take full benefits of departmental schemes as well as KVK programmes. The gathering was also addressed by Dr Munin Sarmah, ADO of Deptt. of Agriculture and the Gaonburah of Kaikara village Bichitra Kumar Baruah. Two progressive farmers also expressed their views on scientific cultivation of Toria var. TS 38 provided by the KVK and expressed their satisfaction for implementation of the programme at their locality.

A farmer-scientist interaction on field problems of agriculture as well as on allied disciplines was also held on this occasion where the scientists of KVK viz., Dr. T.P.Saikia, H.Talukdar, G.K.Sarmah and Ms. S. Saikia and the officers of Agriculture deptt. took part as resource persons in the interactive session. Lastly, Field visit to demonstrated crop fields was also organized to have on the spot assessment of the new technologies and to share the experiences of participating farmers with others. The programme ended with vote of thanks by Ms. Sanjukta Saikia, SMS of the KVK.