As the campaign coincided with the Global celebration of World Environment Day,the 7th day Vikas Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan campaign in Meghalaya emphasized on the eco-friendly farming practices to minimize environmental impact, ensuring food security and promoting long-term sustainability.
Additionally, the experts highlighted the theme Ending Plastic Pollution Globally raising awareness about the damaging effects of plastic waste on ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. The campaign also facilitated direct interaction between farmers and agricultural experts, allowing for knowledge sharing and addressing specific concerns. Meghalaya KVKs successfully conducted the program across 63 villages and 14 blocks with an active participation of 7590 participants.
The technical sessions covered a wide range of topics such Animal resource conservation, Poultry farming, IFS for round the year employment and income generation, Livestock management for better income generation, Resource conservation technologies, Paddy cultivation, Farm mechanization, vegetable cultivation practices, judicious use of control chemicals and fertilizers, agroforestry, climate change and climate resilient traditional cultivars, coping with natural calamities and mitigation, mushroom cultivation, custom hiring centers, use of latest technology in agriculture like nano fertilizers and drones, controlled environment agriculture, spice cultivation, soil and water conservation, vertical farming, integrated farming systems, natural farming, awareness on rabies, diseases of farm animals, Organic farming, FPO formation, Improved ICAR varieties of tomato and turmeric, Technologies developed by CAU such as the new rice varieties viz. Khing Rasong- 1,2 &3, diversify Maize varieties, Finger millets, buckwheat, CAU Bio enhancers, Bio pesticides used for seed treatment, Drone technology, Modern crop production practices, mushroom cultivation, livestock health and vaccination, organic farming, Nursery raising in small polyhouses, Artificial insemination in pigs, Improved poultry varieties like Vanaraja, Importance of Lakadong turmeric, Soil health and fertility, Crop Rotation, Composting, Rearing of Improved Pig variety Lumsniang, Water harvesting structure-Jalkund, Vaccination of poultry, Diseases in imported pigs, Types of vaccines for animals, Integrated Pest and Disease Management, Importance of using biopesticides, Crop varieties developed by CAU, Natural farming, Vaccination and Artificial Insemination of Pig, Importance of Pig Insurance for incurred loss faced due to African Swine Fever, Nutritional Garden, Staggered planting of crops, Early sowing of Cole crops, Technologies developed by ICAR, Umiam, Participatory Seed Production for ensuring quality seeds, HYVs for major crops, Processing of horticultural crops, Impacts of Climate Change, Housing, Deworming and Vaccination of Livestock and Poultry.
Farmers were also informed about the slicing and grinding machines available at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam for ginger and turmeric, specifically that could help farmers with processing these crops, potentially improving yield and quality.
Extension literature on Poultry farming, Good agricultural practices for Meghalaya Soil, integrated farming systems, composting, improved crop varieties, citrus rejuvenation, and Jalkund (rainwater harvesting), Package of practices of buckwheat cultivation, Millets cultivation-Importance, scope and prospects, Organic management practices of Lakadong turmeric, Silage preparation, Rearing of Labeo gonius and Cyprius Caprio in Meghalaya, Application of Agricultural machinery in Custom Hiring Centres, Organic practices and management of pest and diseases, Lumsniang Pig variety, Organic Management of White Grub, Composting, Biofertilizers, Maize cultivation, Indigenous Technical Knowledge, Hydroponics were widely distributed to the farmers.
Farmers were also informed about various government schemes and support services available through different line departments such as PM-KISAN, Kisan Credit Cards ,Soil Health Card Scheme, NFSM,PKVY, PMKSY, MOVCD, MIDH, EDP, NADCP, SMAM, NFSM, Insurance schemes for crops and animals ,State Organic Mission, PRIME, Kisan Sarathi, Subsidy schemes available for ginger, vegetables, Knapsack sprayer and Polyhouse, Plant Protection schemes, Apiculture mission, Apiculture Marketing Scheme, CM-Assure, Drip Irrigation, Mission Organic Certification, Lakadong Mission, Floriculture Mission, PDMC, PMFME, and PMFBY.
Farmers also received quality seeds of vegetables, rice, millets, Climate-resilient rice seeds supporting preparedness for the upcoming Kharif season.
Through this 7th Day VKSA campaign, the farmers were encouraged to adopt sustainable agricultural practices to reduce the environmental impact caused by the conventional farming methods, reduce plastic waste and build a more resilient and sustainable food system.
