Bridging Boundaries, Sharing Knowledge: Empowering Farmers of the North-East through Training and Exposure Visit at ICAR–KVK (CISH), Malda

10–12 November 2025, Malda

A three-day Training-cum-Exposure Visit Programme was successfully organized by ICAR–Krishi Vigyan Kendra (CISH), Malda, operating under the jurisdiction of ICAR–Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, in collaboration with BOSCO Reach Out, Guwahati, Assam. The programme aimed to empower farmers from the North Eastern Region through experiential learning, exposure to innovative technologies, and hands-on training in sustainable agricultural practices.

Addressing the participants, Dr. T. Damodaran, Director, ICAR–Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow, emphasized the importance of ensuring quality agricultural inputs and enhancing farmer awareness for achieving sustainable and profitable farming. He appreciated BOSCO Reach Out for facilitating the participation of tribal farmers from Assam and encouraged them to adopt scientific innovations, explore honey and food processing opportunities, and pursue value addition and agri-entrepreneurship for better income generation.

Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR–ATARI, Kolkata, in his address, lauded the role of ICAR–KVK (CISH), Malda in fostering technology dissemination across regions, particularly in connecting farmers of the North East with advanced agricultural practices. He highlighted that such inter-regional initiatives significantly contribute to enhancing productivity, strengthening rural livelihoods, and advancing the national goal of Viksit Bharat @2047. Dr. Dey further emphasized that engaging with tribal farmers during the observance of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada reinforces the spirit of inclusive agricultural growth and the preservation of indigenous knowledge systems.

The technical sessions combined classroom discussions with field-based demonstrations led by experts from ICAR–KVK (CISH), Malda and the Regional Research Station (RRS), Malda. Participants visited various demonstration and training units, including the mango orchard, seed processing unit, bio-compost facility, food and honey processing units, and value-chain development projects showcasing sustainable farming models and agri-entrepreneurship ventures. The visiting farmers also interacted with adopted farmers in mango cluster villages, gaining first-hand experience of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in fruit and vegetable cultivation.

The programme was attended by representatives from BOSCO Reach Out, along with a delegation of 26 tribal farmers from Assam.

(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata & ICAR-CISH, Lucknow)