The ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), West Garo Hills, organised a six-day skill development training programme on ‘Climate-Smart Cashew Farming – A Sustainable Future with Shelter for Life’ September 9 to 14.
This initiative, sponsored by the All India Coordinated Research Project on Cashew, was aimed at enhancing scientific skills in cashew production of around 50 farmers from 12 villages. The training was part of the 100 Days Action Plan, emphasising the significance of cashew cultivation as the One District One Product (ODOP) crop of West Garo Hills.
Hammylliende Talang, Scientist (Horticulture), discussed the current status of the cashew industry and the scope for expanding cashew farming in West Garo Hills. Monica Suresh Singh, Senior Scientist and Head of ICAR-KVK, West Garo Hills, highlighted the importance of adopting climate-smart technologies in cashew farming to address the challenges posed by climate change and to ensure a sustainable future for cashew farming in the region.
The training featured a series of expert-led lectures covering a broad range of topics, including good agricultural practices in cashew cultivation, entrepreneurship in horticultural crops, advancements in cashew genotypes, intercropping and cashew-based farming systems, organic certification through the Participatory Guarantee System of India and integrated disease management. Special attention was given to climate-smart cashew technology, role of organic certification and the various central and state government schemes available to support cashew farming.
In addition to the theoretical aspects, hands-on practical sessions were conducted on propagation techniques, soil testing procedures, Bordeaux paste (a type of fungicide) preparation and value addition of cashews. Farmers were also taken on an exposure visit to the cashew mother block at the KVK farm.
On the concluding day, participation certificates were distributed to the farmers, along with essential farming inputs such as spades, dao and watering caps.
