Shillong, Feb 21: A 10-day training programme on promotion of horticulture farming in Aspirational Ri-Bhoi District concluded recently aimed to strengthen farmers’ technical knowledge and practical skills in scientific horticulture farming.
The programme was funded by the Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH), Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Medziphema, Nagaland.
A total of 500 farmers from 29 villages of Ri-Bhoi, including members of the Ri-Lajong Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), participated in the programme.
The training focused on promoting scientific cultivation and providing technical skills for the production of high-value horticultural crops, aimed at enhancing farm income among farmers of the district.
All major aspects of horticulture, including improved production technologies, horticultural biodiversity, integrated nutrient and plant protection management, value addition, entrepreneurship opportunities, and value chain management of important high-value horticultural crops were covered during the programme.
Twenty expert lectures were delivered by scientists and subject matter specialists from the ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, Directorate of Horticulture, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Directorate of Food Processing, College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences, Umiam, and the College of Agriculture, Kyrdemkulai.
These sessions were complemented by practical demonstrations, hands-on training, field visits, farmer– scientist interactions, and large-scale input distribution, ensuring effective technology transfer.
As part of the training, a total of 2000 horticultural inputs were distributed to participating farmers
