In a move to boost horticulture in the State, a training program on scientific cultivation of root crops was organized in Birsa Agriculture University (BAU) on Monday. A total of 40 scheduled caste farmers from Choreya village of Chanho block participated in the programme. These farmers were given information about advanced agricultural techniques of tuber crops like ol, pechki, sakhin, sweet potato, semalkand, mishrikand, peach etc.
To encourage Poshan Vatika, all the farmers were distributed planting material of white and orange varieties of sweet potato and semalkand and seeds of seasonal vegetable crops.
Speaking on the occasion BAU Head of the Department (Horticulture), Dr Sanyat Mishra said cultivation of root crops in Jharkhand has been traditionally practiced for centuries. “They have a special place in the diet and culture of the people of the State. Good yield and income can be obtained from root crops only with less care as compared to other crops. In view of its usefulness in the event of climate change and natural calamities, efforts are being made to encourage its cultivation with scientific techniques,” he added.
On the occasion, Project Investigator, ICAR-AICRP (Root Crops), Dr S Sen Gupta told the farmers that availability of planting material is a big problem in root crops and mini set technology has been developed to solve this. “Under this, healthy planting material of desired weight and size can be prepared for the next year by planting small planting material at a short distance in one year. Yellow-orange colored varieties of sweet potato have been developed which is rich in Vitamin A and useful for removing malnutrition of children and for eye health,” he added.
Dr. Gupta told that diseases and pests are very less in root crop and they are generally safe from animals also. There is not much fluctuation in the market price of its products and good income is obtained from the crop even in adverse conditions. Commercial cultivation of this crop is done in South India. The climate of Jharkhand is suitable for the cultivation of sweet potato and this crop has great potential for commercial production in the State, he added.
During the training, Dr Abdul Majeed Ansari, Dr Arun Kumar Tiwari, Dr Pawan Kumar Jha and Vidya Ratan Singh, scientists of Horticulture Department, explained the utility of tuber root crops, field preparation, nursery management, land and climate, method of planting, preparation of planting material. They also gave information about manure and fertilizer management, weed management, pest-disease management, latest technology, nutrition garden, and advanced varieties.
Scientist, Agricultural Engineering Department, Dr Pramod Rai gave information related to post-harvest management and value addition of root crops. During the visit to the department, practical information about small and big agricultural machinery and low cost mulching, shednet, low tunnel, pretray and poly house technology was given in the museum, he added.