Parthenium Awareness Week kick started by KVK, Nagaon

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nagaon under Assam Agricultural University kick started the 'Parthenium Awareness Week (PAW)' on 7th August, 2010 at Palashani Vilage near Nagaon.

Parthenium hysterophorus commonly known as Congress grass or Carrot grass is a menace to farm land, human-beings, animals environment and bio-diversity. About 35 million hectare of land of the country is infested with Parthenium. Previously it was a problem of waste & barren land but now parthenium is a big problem in most crop fields, orchard, railway tracts & even in the forest.

Under the guidelines from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, every year, the University observes this week between August 7-11 to spread awareness about the harmful parthenium weed. In Nagaon district, for the first time the Week is being observed under the aegis of KVK, Nagaon.

On Saturday, an Awareness Programme was organised by the KVK for farmers of Palashani village in the premises of Kanaklata Library with the active collaboration of local NGO viz., STEP (Social Team for Empowering People). The programme was inaugurated formally by Dr. T.P.Saikia, Programme Coordinator of KVK. On this occasion, Dr. Saikia spoke about various events to be held during the weeklong awareness programme. "As leaves of this weed contains harmful chemicals, human beings can develop various diseases like dermatitis, allergy, respiratory problems, asthama and fever," he added. He also urged upon the farmers to utilize the weed for beneficial purposes like compost making before it flowers. Dr. B.Dutta, SMS(Animal Science) also spoke on various skin and digestive diseases that occurs from Parthenium. Ms. Anjumala Deka, SMS (Agronomy) also described different methods of control of this harmful weed.