TURA, Feb 18: Participating in a specialised workshop for the state’s Eri farmers held in New Tura on Friday, Pro-Vice Chancellor, NEHU Tura Campus, G Singaiah urged the farmers to practice integrated farming like piggery, poultry, fishery so as to reap multiple benefits simultaneously and enhance their livelihood with these activities.
Singaiah made this statement while presiding over as the chief guest of the programme titled “Capacity Building Training Programme cum Workshop on Agri-Entrepreneurship Development for Eri Farmers”.
The event was organised by Incubation Centre, NEHU, Tura Campus and funded by ICAR, NIBSM, Raipur Chattisgarh in collaboration with P4 Unit, Central Silk Board, Tura and District Sericulture Office, Tura.
Encouraging the handloom cultivators to explore the arena of multiple integrated farming, Singaiah further assured that the Incubation Centre would extend all possible assistance to the Eri Farmers of the region such as financial assistance and training programmes, workshops on improved cocoon rearing and systematic plantation for rearing silkworms, so as to increase the productivity unit in the area.
In her brief speech, District Sericulture Officer, Tura, Sanre G Momin highlighted the important role of Eri farmers for the production of silk fabric and hand-woven fabrics of ethnic design.
Addressing the challenges faced by the farmers, she urged them to do rearing sincerely and also encouraged them to reel, spin and weave their own handloom in order to boost the production of silk in the district.
Meanwhile, a noted entrepreneur and weaver of Tura, Vivian A Sangma explained in detailed about the ability to provide gainful occupation for the Eri farmers without dislodging them from their homesteads.
As part of the programme, the chief guest along with other dignitaries also distributed racks, tarpaulin, secateurs and torch lights for all the beneficiaries selected from different zones of the district.
