By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 13: The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) West Khasi Hills, Nongshillong, organised a four-day training programme for extension personnel on ‘Value Addition for Important Crops’ at its campus.
Attended by 34 field functionaries working in agriculture and related fields from Eastern West Khasi Hills and West Khasi Hills districts, the training culminated on Friday.
Participants included personnel from Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS), Mawthadraishan Block, Nongstoin Social Service Society (NSSS), and various Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) such as Iatrilum Jaidoh FPO, Iabynroplang Mawroh FPO, Nangkiewirat Khah FPO, Thup ki Nongrep Pariong FPO, Sukbanrep Integrated Village Co-operative Society (IVCS) of Myriaw Village, and DAWN NGO.
During the programme, training was provided on the topics of value addition, scope and opportunities, and value-added products.
Cultivation practices of recent crops such as buckwheat and millets and awareness on government schemes relating to food processing were presented during the programme.
A lecture on food-processing techniques and methods, including value-added products of buckwheat, millets and mushrooms was also held as part of the programme.
On the last day of the training programme, an exposure visit to KVK East Khasi Hills was organized, where trainees were introduced to various food processing tools and implement such as the cabinet dryer, VL Solar dryer, and value-added products of buckwheat, millets, sohiong, et al.
The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates to the trainees.