A group of enthusiastic unemployed rural youths of 30 to 35 years of age from the Leimaram Village, Manipur attended a Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY Scheme) on “Protected cultivation of high value vegetables” organized by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Utlou from 11th to 17th February, 2020. During the programme, the participants were exposed to the scientific cultivation practices of high value vegetables for protected and open fields.
The exposure during the training programme encouraged the youths to start the cultivation of high value commercial vegetables in open fields. In the wake of the Lockdown period due to the outbreak of COVID-19 Pandemic, they started off-season cultivation of Cucumber variety - Alamgir-180 in an area of 1,250 sq. m. By adopting the improved package of practices of cucumber, they sowed cucumber seed on 31st July, 2020.
By harvesting 11 times during the month of September, 2020, an accumulative yield of 1,865 Kg / 1,250 sq. m. was recorded. Starting the cultivation with minimum investment of Rs. 11,200/- and selling the Cucumber at an average rate of Rs. 30 / Kg to local traders, they earned Rs. 55,950 as gross return and Rs. 44,750 as net return getting the benefit cost ratio of 4:1.
By expanding their field’s area, the youths started cultivating tomato, broccoli, pea, broadleaf mustard, cabbage, onion, etc., according to the market demand by applying the scientific technologies on their newly established vegetable field. Being impressed by their success, the neighboring farmers also started the technology dissemination.
Now, having their own courage to uplift the socio-economic status, the youths are the model of unemployed youths and farming community for livelihood security.
(Source: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bishnupur District, Manipur)
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