Khowai, August 20 (TIWN): ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura Centre organized ‘Farmers’ Income Improvement Programme’ on 18th August, Monday, 2014 at Gopal Nagar Bazar, Purbo Bachaibari ADC village, Tulasikhar, Khowai, Tripura.

Minister for Agriculture and Animal Resources,Aghore Debbarma graced the occasion as Chief Guest. More than 250 farmers of Purbo Bachaibari ADC village of Khowai were present as beneficiaries in the event. At the outset, Dr. Avijit Haldar, Principal Scientist (Livestock Production) of ICAR, Tripura Centre narrated the need and importance of the programme for the farmers in this region. He emphasized to make the farmers more empowered and prosperous through utilizing scientific knowledge and using good and quality varieties of planting materials, animals, poultry birds and fishes.

Dr. M. Datta, Joint Director, ICAR Tripura Centre welcomed MInister Aghore Debbarma and expressed his gratitude to the  Minister for Agriculture and Animal Resources for giving much importance to agriculture and allied sectors in the state and also acknowledged his help and cooperation for the implementation of various activities by ICAR in the state.  The Joint Director of ICAR, Tripura centre welcomed all the dignitaries, officials of State Agriculture Department and ARDD, KVK, scientists, farmers, local organizers, press and media personals, while highlighting the achievements of ICAR, Tripura Centre like release of new varieties of various crops, development of low- cost housing system for pigs and goats etc and lab to land programme of ICAR undertaken in different districts of Tripura. He depicted the scopes of income generation from agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries resources in the light of applying improved technology for strengthen capabilities of the farmers and enhancement of the profits by the farmers. The Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and Animal Resources, Govt. of Tripura, Shri Aghore Debbarma called upon the farmers to make farming community more productive and prosperous through new science and technology interventions. He emphasized the need for enhancement of per hectare productivity and development of short duration crop varieties, cultivation of pulse crops and farming with good quality livestock for augmenting production of food grains, milk, meat, eggs etc and ensuring food security in the state. Dr. Gulab Singh Yadav, Scientist (Agronomy) of ICAR, Tripura Centre talked about diversification of crops and its importance. Dr. Asis Debbarma, Assistant Professor of Agartala Govt. Medical College explained on some zoonotic diseases that might be transmitted from livestock, particularly pigs to human beings at the present time of few incidences of Japanese Encephalitis.  Shri Gurupada Debbarma, BAC Chairman, Tulashikhar RD Block, Khowai presided over the function and appreciated ICAR, Tripura Centre for organizing such programme to reach to the farmers and disseminate technologies to the farmers in such remote village in the most simple manner.

In this programme, ICAR, Tripura Centre arranged 20,000 fish fingerlings, 1200 rural poultry birds, 500 papaya plants, 200 mango plants, 200 banana (Sapri kala) plants, 40 kg boro rice seed, 40 kg musur dal seed, 10 kg mustard seed and 40 crossbred piglets to distribute among 250 farmers of Purbo Bachaibari ADC village, Tulasikhar, Khowai. Shri Maninda Debbarma, Vice- Chairman of Purbo Bachaibari ADC village, Tulasikhar, Khowai acknowledged the Joint Director and the whole ICAR team for providing different inputs to the farmers and also assured that the village people will extend full support and necessary cooperation in implementing the various activities in the field of agriculture and allied sectors in the village. The programme ended with the vote of thanks by Dr. Biswajit Das, Principal Scientist (Horticulture) of ICAR, Tripura Centre. Farmers’ Income Improvement Programme and distribution of various farming inputs were sponsored by Tribal Sub Plan, Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (MM- 1) and National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture. The whole programme was conducted by Shri Chandan Debnath, Scientist (Fisheries) of ICAR, Tripura Centre, Lembucherra, West Tripura.  The event created huge enthusiasm among the farmers and thus brought a great impact on farming community in the locality.