SHILLONG: A field day on ‘Integrated Organic Farming System for Improving System Productivity and Profitability’ was conducted on Tuesday by Division of Crop Production, ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam, under the Network Project on Organic Farming (NPOF). Eighty farmers from different villages of Ri-Bhoi district attended the programme.
Jayanta Layek, scientist and project investigator of NPOF, gave the introductory speech on the need of Integrated Organic Farming System for enhancing the system productivity and income of the farmers.
The importance of livestock including poultry in integrated organic farming system for supply of quality manure and subsidiary income through selling of milk, meat and eggs was highlighted during the programme.
Demonstration on organic farming system, no-till organic cultivation of pea, mustard and lentil in rice fallow as well as practical demonstrations for composting, vermin-wash preparations were also done.
A scientist-farmer interaction programme was also organised on seed production technology, soil health test, and organic insect pest and disease management options. Various inputs like improved vegetable seeds, organic pesticides and small farm tools like knapsack sprayer, watering can, etc were also distributed to the farmers.