The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, East Khasi Hills, the organised a “Fisheries Day”, a “Mushroom Carnival”, a “Buckwheat Day”, a “Horticulture Day” at the centre and a “Village level Celebration” at Syntung village, Mawkynrew Block during the week-long golden jubilee celebration of “Krishi Swarna Samriddhi Week” from December 2 to 6.
At the programme, Director of Agriculture J C Lyngdoh spoke about the importance of ‘Integrated Farming’ systems, organic farming, conserving local germplasm, using biofertilisers and biopesticides, soil and water conservation and sustainable agriculture.
Assistant Director of Horticulture (Mushroom Development Centre) K Kharpran highlighted the importance of mushroom as a healthy option with numerous benefits owing to its high nutrients, minerals and vitamin content; ease of cultivation requiring small investment and spatial resource while being a high value product with caution on consumption of wild mushrooms.
Honorary Technical Adviser on Buckwheat of Meghalaya Farmers’ Empowerment Commission (MFEC) Dr. A Pattanayak enlightened the gathering of progressive farmers on the benefits of buckwheat cultivation on land utilisation, health, value addition opportunities, marketing prospects and buckwheat honey.
Executive Assistant (Research), MFEC Dr. L Dohtdong spoke on the emerging global and local opportunities for the production of buckwheat as a potential alternative to other staples due to its unique character.
The technical sessions included a Farmer-Scientist-interaction on topics – “Fish cum Pig-cum Horticulture Integrated Farming System”, “Significance of Buckwheat in changing the global scenario”, “Modelling Farmers Acceptance of Buckwheat Cultivation as an alternate crop for East Khasi Hills District”, “Participatory Technology Development with Buckwheat farmers on Improving POP of Buckwheat” and “Problems faced by farmers on strawberry, buckwheat and fisheries”.
The week-long programme also included a lecture on pond based integrated farming system, a hands on training session on Oyster mushroom cultivation, cultivation and management of horticulture crops and integrated nutrient management, integrated pest management, an exposure visit to the Central Potato Research Station, Upper Shillong , a mini exhibit by different establishments (viz Mushroom Development Centre, CPRI-Research Station, Upper Shillong and State Biological Control Laboratory), a village level technical session at Syntung village and discussions and deliberations with the panel of experts on the topics, Senior Scientist and Head and Subject Matter Specialists of all disciplines of the centre and Farm Manager.
The gathering was motivated by the experience sharing of award-winning progressive farmer Wallamkupar Lynrah on buckwheat cultivation, nutritional and health benefits, buckwheat honey and the economic benefits derived thereof.
The five-day programme included the distribution of fish feed to fish farmers, mushroom spawns to aspiring mushroom growers, vegetable seeds, biofertilisers and vermi beds to vegetable growers at the centre and on site fish feed distribution at Nohron Village.
The programme was attended by members of the Iatreilang Fish Farmer Fed Producer Company Ltd, FPO from Nongrum village, farmers from Mylliem Mawiong, Smit, Mawsiatkhnam, Syntung, Umsawmat, Pomlahier and Mawpat.
