CAU to venture into integrated farming

The Directorate of Extensive Education, Central Agricultural University (CAU) has launched a two-day training programme on, 'Contingency Planning and Strategic Management during Extreme Weather Situation' at its Mini Conference Hall on September 3, 2012.

Speaking as the functional President, Director of Extensive Education CAU, Dr. M Premjit Singh said that animal farming is most profitable, so an integrated framing approach has to be done to enhance the production and improve the economic status of farmers. The university is planning to venture on an integrated farming and it is likely to start with paddy cum fish culture in near future.

Further, he informed that CAU has been successfully implementing its model planning in various places especially at Andro area. In various parts of the state, CAU would also plant red mustard covering an area of 1000 hectare during the current fiscal year. A participatory approach between the university and farmers/ clubs organizations is also need to make the model a success. Pointing out that climate change is a slow process but it affects the yield of the crops, the Director mentioned some of the measures to mitigate drought like situation in the state like popularization of roof top water harvesting, conversion of springs at hilly areas into ponds micro irrigation system, strengthening seed bank, extensive climatic literacy, etc.

Chief Guest of the function, Dr N Iboton Singh, Dean, College of Agriculture, CAU, noted that we are experiencing higher temperature and such sudden change in climatic condition may lead to extinction of rare species. Highlighting the importance of producing drought resistant seed varieties, Iboton suggested co-operation between agricultural scientists and government agencies to redress the problem.

Pointing out the impact of draught on crops, Dr L Nabachandra Singh, Head of the Dept of Agronomy, CAU said during the technical session of the training programme that it affects respiration, photosynthesis, reduction of cell size due to anatomical and harmonic changes.

As an impact of the 2002 drought, which hit 17 states around central India, 15% of the country's foodproduction was decreased. Poor farmer sold out their livestock for want of water and fodder, children could not go to school and a large number of farmers could not resume agricultural activities till now, said the expert.

Training on Tuber Crop Based Farming

As the State could hardly produce sufficient rice for consumption, the introduction of tuber crops would help in enhancing production of food stuff in the State, said Dr Premjit, Director of Extension and Education, CAU.

He was speaking at the one-day awareness programme on tuber crop based farming system for sustainable production and income generation under the Central Agriculture University's All India Coordinated Research Project on Tuber Crops at Chanung Mayai Leikai in Imphal East yesterday.

Speaking as the chief guest of the programme, Dr Premjit said the cultivation of food crops like potato, bean, etc apart from paddy, would pay dividend in realising the much needed food security in the State.

He however said the prospect of marketing the crops should first be identified.

The programme was also attended by Dr M Ruhinikumar, Research Director, CAU Imphal; K Kipgen, Additional Director of Horticulture and Soil Conservation department as the president and guest of honour respectively.

The resource persons of the training programme included Dr Kh Ibohal Singh, Sr Assistant Professor, Dept of Entomology, College of Agriculture, CAU; Dr Ak Bijaya Devi, Associate Professor of Dept of Horticulture; Dr Bireshwar Singh, Assistant Professor of Dept of Pathology; Monibala Devi, SMSS of KVK Imphal East; and Dr Th Sushilkumar, programme Assistant.

Post Harvest Technology Programme on Ginger and Tumeric Begins

 Post harvest technology training programme on ginger and turmeric begins at CAU Imphal on July 23, 2012.

CAU to Produce Quality Seeds for 3500 Paris of Land

The Research and Extension Directorate team of Central Agricultural University (CAU) planted tamphaphou on 55 paris of land in their effort to produce quality seeds for 3500 paris of land in the next year.

CAU, in a joint effort with the farmers, has developed model seed villages in three different districts of the State, said a statement.

As a part of the programme a training, themed "Participatory Rice seed production programme", was held at Kanhaimacha Ningshing Shanglen, Nonguda, today.

Speaking at the event, Director of the Directorate of Extension Education of CAU Prof M Premjit Singh stated that the programme has been initiated due to the lack of quality seeds in the State, further ensured that it would not only provide quality seeds to the farmers but also give them the opportunity to sell the seeds for their profit.

Presiding over the event Pradhan of Nongren Chingnungkhok Gram Panchayat L Tarpon Singh expressed his desire to promote such programme in other parts apart from Nongren/Nonguda.

During the technical session, Deputy Director Research Dr K Noren and two other Subject Matter Specialists of KVK Imphal, present as the resource persons, spoke on various related topics and also interacted with the farmers.

Source: The Sangai Express (www.thesangaiexpress.com)

Farmers Sensitise to Harmful Effect of Pesticides

An agricultural awareness cum discussion programme was organized by Self Help Group & Neighborhood Committee under the sponsorship of College of Agriculture, CAU (Central Agricultural University,Iroisemba) at Kyamba Shanglen,Bishnupur today.

The inaugural function of the programme was attended by Prof.N.Iboton Singh, Dean (CAU) as Chief Guest; Shougaijam Tomba Singh, Chairperson, Bishnupur Municipal Council as President; Prof M.Dhaneshor Singh, HOD, Animal Husbandry, CAU and Nameirakpam Jugeshore social worker Bishnupur as Guests of Honor of the occasion.

Prof.A.K.Bijaya Devi, Department of horticulture, Prof.R.K.Tombisana Devi, Department of Plant Pathology and Asst. Prof.KH.Ibohal Singh, Department of Etiology, CAU were also present as resource persons.

Speaking on the occasion N.Iboton Singh explained that the main objective of the awareness programme is to bring positive change in agricultural farming in the District using new technology and modern farming methods so as to increase annual yield of the farmers.

N Iboton Singh also appealed to the farmers to consult the scientists of the university regarding their problems in farming. He also asked the people to participate in all the training programmes conducted by the university to make our state self sufficient in food production, and assured that the farmers that the university will provide high yielding seeds for SHRI Method farming along with poultry, duckery and piggery free of cost.

Speaking as one of the resource persons, Prof Kh.Ibohal Singh observed that the awareness programme was very significant as today being the World Environment day.

Pointing out that using pesticides and fungicides have severe effects on human health, he appealed to the people to use biofertilizers as it helps in maintaining our ecosystem.

Use of insecticides not only kills insects which infest on our crops but also kill those insects which are regarded as friends of the farmers.

Regular use of same pesticides also increases the resistance of the pest towards the used chemicals and it is also a slow poisoning process which would lead to various diseases of the brain, nerves, lung, renal, intestinal, skin, etc to human beings, he said.

He also advised the farmers not to smoke or eat anything while spraying insecticides because it affects lungs directly and not to forget to cover their mouth and nose properly.

Prof R.K.Tombisana Devi also spoke issues related to crop diseases and their management.

CAU Joins Peace Seminar Organised by Red Shield

Prof N Iboton Singh, Dean, Central Agriculture University, Manipur joins the "Red Shield Peace Seminar" organised by 27 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of Red Shield Division at Churachandpur town yesterday.

The Red Shield Division has been instrumental in organizing various peace event with a sole objective of bringing different communities and tribes on the same platform to generate a sense of bonding.

According to a statement issued by the PIB (DW), team of experts and resource persons from various fields presented their views which included prominent Church leaders, academicians, political and public leaders.

The seminar was attended by all sections of the society especially the youth of Churachandpur and Imphal.

Other important dignitaries who attended the seminar apart from officials of Security Forces included Ms Jacintha Lazarus, DC Churachandpur; Rajesh Hijam, Editor of The Sangai Express (English); Rev L Simon Raomai, MBC Centre Church, Imphal; Rev Dr Ginkhanmung, Lutheran Church and Rickee from Hope India.

Commander of 27 Sector Assam Rifles in his opening address stressed upon the requirement of establishing peace in the state and analyzed the conflict dynamics in the prevailing scenario, it said.

Major General Binoy Poonnen, Vishist Seva Medal, General Officer Commanding Red Shield Division in his key note address expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Security Forces and Civil administration for having organized such a meaningful seminar.

The GOC highlighted the role of various agencies like Public leaders, student bodies, media, Churches and especially the youth who have actually played an important and pivotal role in rallying the people to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream.

The GOC also reiterated that the future of Manipur therefore lies in the hands of the youth of Manipur who need to excel in whatever field they choose, the statement said.

The GOC at the end remarked that this Seminar has achieved "integration" in the real sense by including all major ethnic tribes in the region.

The Peace Seminar received a very encouraging response from the attendees.

The Rt Rev Dr Ginkhanmung Zou presented a vote of thanks to the SFs for organizing such a meaningful seminar.

Two day Training on Organic Farming

IMPHAL, Apr 20: A two-day training programme on organic farming of turmeric was inaugurated today at Tiger Camp in Imphal East organised by KVK Andro under the sponsorship of Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Agri- culture, Government of India.

As a resource persons of the training programme, Dr Th Ribindro, Plant Protection Subject Matter Specialist of KVK Andro and Th Ramananda, Project Assistant of Biotechnology have spoke on the use of artificial fertilisers for larger production. Around 30 progressive farmers of Tiger Camp and its surrounding areas have participated in the training programme.