ICAR-KVK, Port Blair organizes Awareness Programme on Natural farming at Collinpur

Port Blair, Jan 16: A Natural Farming awareness programme was held at Collinpur organized by ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair on 13.01.2023. Mrs. Sujata Singh, Pradhan, Collinpur graced the occasion as chief guest. She advised the farming community to produce quality farm products without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Thus, naturally produced farm products are very good for the health of people as well as soil and environment. Mr. Babul Baroi, Up-Pradhan, Mrs. Anulakha Biswas, Panchayat samiti, PRI members of collinpur panchayat and Mr. Balaram Singh, District Farmer Advisory committee chairman also presented on this occasion and motivated the farming community.  Dr. Y Ramakrishna, Principal Scientist & Head discussed natural farming practices and encouraged farmers to adopt these practices on a cluster basis and maintain soil health for production and consumption of quality produce in isles. He appealed to farmers to use local seeds and planting materials and integration of crops, trees and livestock, intercropping and crop rotations. Dr N. Bommayasamy, SMS (Agro./Agrl. Extn.) explained that natural farming practices encouraged on farm production of Ghanajeevamrit, Beejamrit, Jeevamrit, agniastra, brahmastra, neemastra etc, which drastically reduced the cost of production by replacing the chemical fertilizers and pesticides and adoption of intercropping with leguminous vegetables. He stressed to adopt mulching with crop residues which reduces soil temperature and also improves soil moisture and in turn helps in soil microbial diversity, water absorption and nutrient availability to crops.   Dr. B.K. Nanda, SMS (Agrl.Engg.) enlighten the employment opportunities in natural farming and water management practices. Dr. Pooja Kapoor, SMS (Home Science), spoke about the role of farm women in the adoption of natural farming practices and the expansion of self-employment opportunities through secondary agriculture practices. As part of the events, demonstrations on ghanjeevamrut, jeevamrut were prepared by the participants and distributed Ghanajeevamrit, Jeevamrit and plant extracts like neemastra. A total of 61 participants participated and benefited in this programme.

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