CISH promoting organic farming through agri scheme
LUCKNOW: Under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY), the ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) is promoting organic farming practices in 200-hectare land in Uttar Pradesh through 10 organic farmers’ groups comprising 211 farmers.
In order to develop self-reliance, farmers are being trained for on-farm production of organic inputs namely vermicompost, biodynamic, Bio-enhancers and bio pesticide for use in various crops.
Farmers’ land is also being certified through participatory guarantee system (PGS) to ensure marketing of their organic produce across the country. Besides, the farmers will be trained for post-harvest management of their produce for grading, packing, brand development and marketing.
Ten training centres with on-farm production unit have been established for 10 organic farmers’ group in Barabanki, Banda and Hamirpur districts of the state where farmers are being trained for production of organic inputs to become Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) in organic inputs production as well as in reducing cost of production and improving profitability.
In this regard, a training programme was organised at Shaili Keeratpur village of Barabanki on Thursday where farmers were trained. Also, an on-farm organic inputs production demonstration was carried out.
TEN TRAINING CENTRES SET UP FOR AS MANY ORGANIC FARMERS’ GROUP IN BARABANKI, BANDA AND HAMIRPUR
Twenty-one registered farmers and several other farmers of the village participated in the programme.
Various critical inputs like neem cake, sprayers, sticky insect traps, neem oil and vermicompost beds among others were distributed to facilitate organic farming.
The institute has developed a cost-effective and ready to use special organic input ICAR-CISH Bio-enhancer for small and marginal farmers. The product was also distributed to improve soil and plant health.
Inaugurating the programme, Shailendra Rajan, director, ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow, stressed that change in thought process was a must for commercial and intensive organic production to bring about perceptible change in the organic horticulture production scenario of the region.
He further emphasised that selection of crops and its bulk production was very important from a marketing point of view which facilitated marketing and ensured higher returns as organic products have immense value. Dr RA Ram, principal scientist (horticulture), detailed about the PKVY scheme and demonstrated on-farm organic inputs production.