Nine farmers of East Jaiñtia Hills district were taken on an exposure tour to Siliguri, West Bengal to get first-hand experience and exposure in Hydrophone and DRIP Farming.
The initiative was taken by the basin development unit of the district who felt the need to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the rural poor through livelihood programme, especially when most of the landscapes of East Jaiñtia Hills district are left barren due to coal mining activities.
The farmers are Iahphang Dkhar and Morning Suchiang of Tuber Sohshrieh, known for strawberry cultivation, Kyrsiew Ryngkhlem, and Saphalang Dkhar of Wapungskur, Robin Siangshai of Mynkre, Samuel Latam of Mynthlu, Erick Dkhar and Jimris langstang of Narwan and Dibait Dkhar of Jalyiah.
Officials who accompanied the farmers were Extra Assistant Commissioner cum Nodal Officer, EJHD, Raja Brahma, District Project Manager Basin East Jaiñtia Hills District, Hun Ioo Blah, Programme Associate Hamlish Lyngdoh and District Horticulture Officer East Jaiñtia Hills District Bamerishisha Rymbai.
With the advancement of technology like Hydroponic and modern technique in Drip Irrigation, the office said they could be the answer to the problems face by farmers due to water scarcity, pollution, other condition, etc and to sustain farming activity generating employment.
The exposure trip is a new beginning in the history of farming in East Jaiñtia Hills which gave the farmers not only the theoretical part of the subject but also their practical knowledge “To do how, to do when and What to do,” the office said, adding, “The field visit made farmers seeing is believing and motivated them to start such units in their village.”
