Farmer-Scientist Interaction and Input Distribution Programme organised

27^th January 2025, Assam

A farmer-scientist interaction-cum-input distribution programme was organized by ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Assam under the NEH component ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal, Haryana, today. 

Dr Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR-IARI, urged IARI-Assam scientists to create an annual training calendar for farmers and stakeholders, including relevant government departments. He encouraged farmers to inspire their children to pursue careers in agricultural research. Dr Rao stressed the importance of providing quality seeds and planting materials in collaboration with both central and state government agencies. He also assured that IARI-Assam would prioritize research in animal and fishery sciences, with plans to develop animal sheds at the research farm. He also highlighted the need for soil health cards, integrated farming for better market linkages, and a focus on entrepreneurship development in areas like mushroom cultivation, apiculture, and seed production.

Dr Viswanathan Chinnusamy, Joint Director (Research) and Dr Ananmika Gogoi, Circle Officer, Gogamukh, graced the occasion as the guests of honour.

Dr Chinnusamy highlighted that improved technologies developed by IARI especially w.r.t. maize and other crops will be provided to the farmers for their benefit. He also suggested that IARI Assam should initiate some activities on YouTube in the local language on the line of Pusa Samachar. 

Dr Gogoi highlighted that IARI Assam should provide inputs like seed which IARI have developed instead of seeds from the local market. She also emphasized that farmers should focussed on increasing productivity. Besides, she also highlighted that piggery and fishery activities need to be strengthened in this region. A brochure on Rice-Based Integrated Farming System in Assam both in English and Assamese was also released during the event. 

Input kits in the form of Knapsack Sprayer, Maize seeds (hybrid), vegetable seed kit (including ridge gourd, ladies finger, cowpea, cucumber, methi, and coriander), spade and Jabra were distributed to the farmers during the programme.

A total of 110 farmers from the Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts of Assam participated in the programme. 

(Source: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Assam Campus)