A brainstorming session on “Strategizing Technology Adoption and Dissemination: Problems and Crafting Solutions” was held at the ICAR RC NEH, Umiam yesterday.
Chaired by former Advisor for Agriculture, Planning Commission Dr. V.V. Sadamate, the session was attended by Dr. A.K. Mohanty, Director of ICAR-ATARI and Dr. J. C. Lyngdoh, Director, State Department of Agriculture alongside state officials from other departments, faculties from CPGS-AS, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, and scientists from ICAR Research Complex, Umiam along with few progressive farmers.
The issues discussed during the session were the challenges faced by farmers to adopt technology, integration of artificial intelligence in pig farming due to limited accessibility and availability of semen in pig farming, procurement of high-quality planting materials that is affecting crop yields and farmer productivity, high costs associated with advanced technologies, such as precision farming and reluctance of farmers to adopt new technologies due to traditional practices and scepticism about the benefits of new methods.
To address these challenges, the brainstorming session proposed several strategic solutions such as systematic overhaul to ensure the availability of high-quality seeds to farmers, for improving crop performance and resilience.
It was suggested that state authorities should collaborate with universities and research institutions to include selective technologies in state action plans for mass adoption and popularisation. Establishing local centres for production and distribution to enhance the accessibility of quality planting materials and other agricultural inputs, strengthening farmers’ organisations as a collective platform for technology adoption and dissemination, promoting farm business schools to equip farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively adopt and benefit from new technologies and to implement a cluster-level approach to ensure targeted and efficient dissemination of technology, tailored to the specific needs of different farming communities.
Dr. Sadamate in his speech emphasised on the need for a multi-stakeholder approach, urging state agencies, universities, and research institutions to work in unison. He underscored the importance of creating a supportive ecosystem that fosters innovation and embraces changes, ensuring that technological advancements reach the grassroots level effectively.
The brainstorming session concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to contribute actively towards overcoming the barriers for technology adoption in agriculture, by fostering collaboration, enhancing accessibility, and providing continuous support to farming community.
