CHES, Bhubaneswar Organizes Scientists Farmers Interface Meeting and Input Distribution Programme under TSP

During the programme, Dr. Shantanu Rakshit highlighted the objectives of TSP and its role in promoting scientific horticulture, enhancing farm productivity, and improving livelihood opportunities among tribal farmers. He emphasized the contribution of CHES in providing improved technologies, quality planting materials, technical guidance, and capacity-building support. He encouraged the farmers to adopt different IIHR technologies. Dr. A. V. V. Koundinya discussed scientific practices for rabi vegetable cultivation, emphasizing suitable crop varieties, timely sowing, nutrient and water management, and integrated crop management. He also explained the appropriate use of the horticultural inputs distributed during the programme in details. Dr. Babita Mishra, Scientist (Horticulture), KVK, Jajpur, highlighted strategies for enhancing horticultural productivity and profitability through crop diversification, efficient resource utilization, and adoption of improved production technologies. Dr. Bijay Kumar Routray, Scientist (Plant Protection), KVK, Jajpur, sensitized farmers about major insect pests and diseases of horticultural crops and emphasized integrated pest and disease management for reducing crop losses and ensuring sustainable production. Mr. Randheer Kumar Thakur, Technical, ICAR-IIHR–CHES, Bhubaneswar, demonstrated the application of AMC Powder and Arka Vegetable Special.

         Mrs. Sujata Bala, Sarpanch, Kaimatia Gram Panchayat, and Mrs. Sarita Hansda, Panchayat Samiti Member, appreciated the initiative and encouraged farmers to utilize the distributed inputs and adopt scientific horticultural practices. They also informed the farmers about ongoing schemes of Government of Odisha related to horticultural development and encouraged the farmers to take benefits of those ongoing schemes. An interactive session provided an opportunity for farmers to discuss field-level constraints and seek technical recommendations from the scientists. The initiative is expected to facilitate the adoption of IIHR technologies and other improved horticultural technologies and contribute to enhanced productivity, farm income, and livelihood security among tribal farmers.