ICAR Organizes Workshop to Develop Road Map for Services to Farmers in Agro-Climatic Zone-X

ICAR Organizes Workshop to Develop Road Map for Services to Farmers in Agro-Climatic Zone-X

21st October, 2015, Hyderabad

Indian Council of Agricultural Research organized a workshop for Developing a Road Map for Technological Support. Extension and Demonstration Services to the Farmers in Southern Plateau & Hill Region (Agro-climatic Zone-X) at ICAR- Indian Institute of Oilseed Research(IIOR), Hyderabad.

Dr. K. M. L. Pathak, Deputy Director General (Anima Science), ICAR chaired the workshop and, in his address, invited farmers to put forth their problems related to production systems, field technologies and extension modules. Elaborating on the objectives of workshop, he said, on the basis of interactions with farmers and further deliberations with scientists, recommendations will made for overall agricultural development of the zone with primary focus on sustainable income of farmers. This will also help prioritization of researchable issues and identification of new areas which need immediate attention by scientific institutes and policy makers alike. Enhancing income and livelihood security of small and marginal farmers is our major concern, he added. Chairman also addressed a Press meet in which print and electronic media participated.

Dr. K.S. Varaprashad, Director, IIOR and nodal officer of the workshop, in his presentation, highlighted major issue confronting agriculture in this zone which comprises interior Deccan and parts of southern Maharashtra, greater parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and uplands from Adilabad to Madurai. He said, this zone predominately depends on rainfedfarming(80%) in which fluctuations of climatic condition and recurrent drought cause low productivity across all crops. Along with major issues, he also highlighted availability of technologies to address these problems and elaborated on ICT tools being used for dissemination of information and knowledge.

Dr. A. PadmaRaju, Vice-Chancellor, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University,Hyderabad suggested farmers to adopt integrated farming system approach to safeguard their income in case of climatic adversities. Livestock ensures income even during crop failures, he added. He also elaborated on various initiatives of the University to extend supports to farmers for addressing their specific problems
Dr. B.S. Prakash, ADG(ANP), ICAR and Co-chair, emphasized the important role of value addition in enhancing income of farmers and livestock owners. He stressed the need to make available quality seeds of improves fodder varieties to farmers for improving materials and health status of livestock. He also urged farmers to adopt climate proofing technologies.

Dr. ChairiAppaji, Incharge, Director, ATARI, Hyderabad and nodal officer of the workshop, briefedon the creation of farmers producer companies which aim higher income for farmers. He also elaborated on initiatives being undertaken by ATARI and KVKs for implementation of ICAR new scheme, like ‘MeraGaon, MeraGaurav’ and ‘ARYA’.He also proposed vote for thanks

Progressive farmers from various districts of zone participated in workshop and put forth their specific problems and issues which need attention and solution. Recurrent droughts, limited availability of quality seeds of suitable crop varieties, limited availability of machines for small farmers, loss of crops by wild animals and need of location specific integrated farming systems were some of major issues deliberated upon.

Directors and senior officials from ICAR Institutes, State Agricultural, Animal Science, and veterinary universities and KVKs of the region Participated in the workshops and provided their inputs for providing solutions to specific problems of farmers.

ICAR has planned such interactive workshops in 15 agro-climatic zones of country. A road map for agricultural development of the region will be developed based on the outcome of the workshop. The road map will necessary include identification of technological interventions which need to be up scaled and extension and demonstration services for up scaling and out scaling. Future thrust area of research and extension for region will also be identified.

(Source:ICAR-DKMA, New Delhi)