For the first time a one-day training on advanced cultivation of spice crops was organized in village Silagai of martyr Veer Budhu Bhagat under ICAR-All India Integrated Spices Crops Project conducted at Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) on Tuesday.
More than 60 tribal farmers of Silagai village participated in this training program organized in the residential complex of the descendants of Martyr Veer Budhu Bhagat. On the occasion, Project Investigator, Dr Arun Kumar Tiwari threw light on the possibilities of cultivation of horticulture crops suitable for agricultural ecology of Silagai village and informed about the importance, advanced technology and benefits of possible horticulture works. He gave detailed information about the scientific farming techniques of various spice crops to the farmers and also informed about the improved packaging system of coriander, fenugreek and spinach.
On the occasion, Horticulture Scientist, Dr Pawan Kumar Jha gave detailed information about successful cultivation techniques of spice crops in shade and scientific cultivation of ginger, turmeric and olive.
The BAU Scientists gave technical advice to the tribal farmers to know about the cultivable land of the village, irrigation facilities, traditional farming techniques, farming resources and the problems faced by them in agricultural activities. On the occasion, Manoj Kumar, the associate staff of Masala Project, explained the practical aspects of cultivation of spice crops and the practical solution to the curiosity of the farmers.
During the programme, 200 grams of seeds each of Coriander (Surbhi variety), Fenugreek (Green Leaf) and Spinach (Pusa Jyoti) were distributed to all the participating farmers under the Spice Crops Tribal Sub-project (TSP). Farmers were advised to install front line observations of their fields and to inform all the villagers and scientists directly about its performance.
The descendants of Veer Budhu Bhagat, Rajeev Bhagat, Sukhmani Bhagat along with Fagni Oraon, Sapna Kujur, Satyawanti Devi, Nirmala Oraon, Sukri Oraon, Neeli Kujar had special cooperation in organizing the programme.
BAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr Omkar Nath Singh expressed happiness over the successful organization of continuous visit and training program of BAU scientists in Silagai village. He expressed his resolve to extend modern agricultural technology to the villages of the great brave heroes of the State. He told the scientists of Silagai village to increase the coverage and increase the income of the farmers by technology transfer of suitable crops for the upcoming summer, kharif and rabi seasons.
In these programmes, special priority has been given to Madua (Ragi), Gundli and Jowar among millet crops.