Workshop to Improve Services to the Farmers for Eastern Plateau and Hill Agro-climatic Region

23^th November, 2015, Bhubaneswar

Indian Council of Agricultural Research organised one-day workshop on “Improving Technical Support, Extension and Demonstration Services to the Farmers for Eastern Plateau and Hill Agro-climatic Region” here today at ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar in collaboration with ICAR-Agriculture Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.

The programme aimed to develop strategies to improve technological services to the farmers of the region which consists Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

The programme was chaired by Dr. A. K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension and Fisheries Science), ICAR. He stressed upon the areas related to agriculture and allied fields where much more intervention is required to improve farmers condition in the region.

Prof. Manoranjan Kar, Vice-Chancellor, Orissa University of Agriculture Technology, Bhubaneswar laid emphasis on overall improvement single window system where farmer would get all types of information and services.

Dr. P. Jayasankar, Director, ICAR-CIFA presented the issues and concerns of the region with respect to the fisheries and livestock sector. Dr. Jayasankar pointed out lack of knowledge on improved variety or on updated technologies as reasons for low productivity.

Dr. S. D. Singh, Assistant Director General (Inland Fisheries), ICAR while delivering welcome address and briefed about the objectives of the workshop. 

Dr. Anupam Mishra, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Jabalpur and Dr. S.K. Ambast, Director, ICAR-IIWM also made remarks on climate conditions and required interventions..

About 20 progressive farmers from the three states raised the concerns of the community. Stakeholders involved in the agriculture development i.e Research Institutes, State Agricultural Universities, Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Soil Conservation, Forestry, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry participated in the programme.

Recommendations:

• Improving the livelihood of farmers through farm mechanization
• Developing crop waste management practices
• Developing agro-forestry and specialty product market strategies
• Management of soil health is to be taken utmost importance
• Creating awareness about the drip irrigation to the farming community
• Developing strategies for treating acidic soil is needed since nearly 70% soil of Odisha is acidic where crop diversification is a concern
• Developing drought and disease resistant crop varieties and crop diversification
• Developing sustainable integrated farming system
• Harnessing solar power for irrigation

Dr. N. K. Barik, Organising Secretary of the programme proposed vote of thanks.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneswar)