SHILLONG, June 1: Three Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) — from East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, and South Garo Hills — successfully conducted special programmes across 26 villages and five blocks for the farming community withstanding heavy rain, which witnessed with the participation of 2,411 participants on Day-3 of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA) campaign on Saturday
The campaign aimed to empower farmers with knowledge and resources to improve agricultural practices.
Addressing the gathering in East Garo Hills, Rongjeng MLA Jim M Sangma, who served as the chief guest, emphasised the government’s commitment to farmers’ welfare and rural development. He encouraged the farmers to participate in VKSA campaign and interact with experts, tapping into the programme;s objective of bridging the gap between research and grassroots farming.
Dean of the College of Community Science, Tura, Dr Jyoti Vastard, who was the guest of honour, urged the farming community, especially women, to concentrate on value addition of locally available crops.
A key aspect of the campaign in the three districts involved direct engagement between farmers and scientists, facilitating open discussions about agricultural practices and technologies. This interaction allowed for the sharing of knowledge, the identification of problems, and the development of solutions tailored to the specific needs of the farmers.
Technical sessions on Vermicomposting, Animal Health Management, Government Schemes, Climate Resilient Technologies, Integrated Farming System, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), improved crop production technologies, animal health and vaccination, organic farming practices, soil testing and the Soil Health Card scheme and Integrated Pest and Disease Management were provided to the farmers
Extension literature on integrated farming systems, composting techniques, improved crop varieties, citrus rejuvenation, and Jalkund (rainwater harvesting) technology was widely distributed. Farmers also received high-quality seeds of vegetables, rice, and millets and plantation seeds supporting preparedness for the upcoming Kharif season.
The programme effectively emphasised the importance of collaboration, innovation, and resilience in agriculture, motivating participants to adopt progressive farming methods. It highlighted the need for sustainable practices, innovative technologies, and a cooperative approach to overcome challenges and enhance productivity, especially in rainfed areas.
Earlier on Day 2, the VKSA campaign saw participation under challenging weather conditions marked by heavy rainfall and landslides. Despite the incessant rain, 20 dedicated scientific teams visited 62 villages across 16 blocks, actively engaging 6,049 enthusiastic farmers.
