Shillong, March 16: A day long farmer field day was organized by the Division of Crop Production, ICAR Research Complex, Umiam on 14th March 2018 to sensitize and throw light over the mechanisms of enhancing pulse and oilseed production with adoption of promising eco-friendly conservation agriculture practices (like minimum and no-till and recycling of crop waste and plant biomass) under changing climate with funding of national flagship program of Tribal Sub Plan.
The Major objective of this field day was to brainstorm and equip the hill farmers with the skills and technical know-how of efficient and effective utilization of rice and maize fallows for augmenting farm income, nutritional security and environmental sustainability.
The scientist elucidate the importance, need and thrive of cultivating various leguminous and oilseed crops in rice/maize fallow for enhancing soil health of degraded lands and nutritional security of tribal livelihood.
The scientists’ suggested various methods of generating optimum farm income from the unit area of farmers’ field with available resources by taking up different allied agricultural activities such as poultry raising and mushroom cultivation.
Demonstrations were given on methods of vermicomposting and its role in maintaining and promoting healthy agro-soil conditions which helps in reducing the environmental pollution. The farmers were educated about the benefits of pulse or oilseed cultivation which will increase the farm income, enhance employment and nutritional security with low investment
The farmers took great interest on cultivation of pea, lentil and chickpea, importance was also given on the positive impacts of pulse cultivation in rice and maize fallows which imminently enhance the farmers’ income, and in turn regulate soil nutrients. Besides the field demonstrations related to agricultural practice, the farmers were also introduced to the cultivation of various horticultural crops for increasing coherent agri-horti entrepreneurship for better livelihood security of hill farmers.
