On the 14th day of the VKSA campaign, Meghalaya KVKs—successfully hosted the program across 64 villages and 16 blocks with a total participation of 7493 farmers. This outreach program essentially acted as a bridge between scientific research and practical farming by actively engaging with the local farmers, introducing technologies specifically tailored to their needs and challenges, while simultaneously gathering valuable feedback from the field to inform future research efforts.
In the concluding day of VKSA campaign, esteemed guests attended the programme at various districts of the state. Dr. A. K. Mohanty, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Zone-VII, Umiam graced the programme at Nonglum village, Ri Bhoi district, Dr. Jyoti V. Vastrad, Dean, CCS, Tura, CAU Imphal, Dr. Vijaykumar A. G., Seed Production Officer, UAS Dharwad and Nagaraja Pani, Program Manager, Chairman Office, Narayana Health attended as Special Guests in South Garo Hills District.
The technical sessions also covered a wide range of topics such natural farming, Organic farming practices, Horticultural Practices and Agronomic Practices for Kharif Crops, Integrated Plant Disease Management, Animal Health Management,Establishment of Custom Hiring Centres, Hydroponics, Integrated Farming System, Judicious use of control chemicals and fertilisers, climate change and climate resilient traditional cultivars, Use of latest technologies in agriculture like nano fertilisers and drones, controlled environment agriculture, Soil and water conservation, Seed preservation, Vertical farming, Technologies related to Fisheries, Duckery, Goatery, Balanced use of fertilizers, Smart farming using ICT tools and modern equipment, Soil analysis and their importance, Nutritional garden and kitchen garden, Composite Fish Culture, ITKs, Mushroom cultivation, Vermicomposting, Local germplasm collection, Use of varieties developed by ICAR on maize (Megha maize 1, Megha maize 2) , paddy variety (Shahsarang) and soybean variety Umiam Soyabean -1 for higher productivity and income of farming community, Use of machineries for ginger and turmeric such as washer, slicer and pulverizer, Kiwi fruit cultivation, Water-use efficiency, Renewable energy applications in farming, Marketing of Lakadong turmeric, Vaccination and insurance for livestock, Artificial insemination, Different types of pig breed, Rearing of Improved pig and poultry breed, Climate Resilient Technologies, Silage preparation, Azolla cultivation, Integrated Soil and Nutrient management and Resource Conservation technologies.
Live visual demonstration on the recent technologies was also being demonstrated by various teams.
Extension literature on Organic practices and Management of pest and diseases, Lumsniang Pig variety, Natural Farming, Nutri Cereals, Integrated Farming Systems, Composting, Improved crop varieties, AAU Low-cost evaporative cool structure, Manual type turmeric slicer, Citrus rejuvenation and Jalkund (rainwater harvesting), Technologies on animal Science like Kalinga brown, White Pekin Ducks, 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, new varieties of rice, maize, low-cost tunnel polyhouse were widely distributed to the farmers.
Farmers were also informed about various Government schemes both Central and State designed to support agriculture and rural development. These schemes included, PM KISAN, KCC, SMAM, Soil Health Card, PMFME Scheme, PMKSY (PDMC), NFSM, PKVY, PMFBY,NMEO, EDP,NADCP, Livestock Insurance scheme, Crop Insurance Scheme, Tuber Development Scheme, Potato Development Scheme, Vegetable Development Scheme, Fruit Development Scheme, Spice Development Scheme, CM-Assured Scheme, Citrus Rejuvenation Scheme, Water Harvesting Scheme, Plant Protection Scheme, Floriculture Mission and Plant Protection scheme, MOVCD, MIDH, State Organic Mission, Subsidy scheme for polyhouse, Apiculture mission, Soya bean scheme, Power tiller scheme, Organic manure scheme, agricultural marketing scheme, PRIME, Kisan Sarathi and STRY.
To bolster readiness for the upcoming Kharif season, quality seeds of rice, maize, millets and vegetables alongside arecanut saplings were distributed,. Plant Growth Promoter, Trichoderma, Pheromone Traps and Vermi Bed were also distributed to the farmers. Throughout this 14 day campaign, Meghalaya KVKs covered 719 villages, 40 blocks with a total participation of 79,972 farmers. This milestone celebrates the KVK’s long-term dedication to engage with the farmers directly, promoting sustainable farming practices and improving agriculture as a whole in this region. This commitment is shown through activities like providing training, promoting eco-friendly practices and supporting local agricultural innovation. In future more campaigns like the Vikshit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan can empower the farming community by focusing on the technological advancement, education and sustainable practices. These efforts can improve productivity, reduce environmental impact and ensure long-term viability of the farming sector.
