GUWAHATI, Feb 28 - An agriculture web portal �Rice Knowledge Bank � Assam� under the World Bank-funded project Assam Agri-business and Rural Transformation (APART), was launched today.
�The informative portal is the result of efforts of the Directorate of Agriculture and Assam Agricultural University with technical assistance from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services Society (ARIAS). The portal aims to bridge the gap between research and on-field rice production practices. This website is a digital extension service providing practical knowledge solutions, especially for small-scale farmers in Assam,� a statement said.
According to the statement, the portal, which was formally launched here by AAU Vice Chancellor Dr KM Buzarbarua, showcases rice production techniques, agricultural technologies and best farming practices based on the pool of knowledge from research findings, learning and media resources from AAU and IRRI. It serves to address the challenges for agricultural development by supporting fast and effective transfer of technologies and knowledge from the research laboratory to farmers� fields.
With IRRI�s and AAU�s combined expertise, RKB-Assam is set to be a single point access for information and learning on rice production, with a step-by-step guide for all production stages.
�Though the area of cultivation is huge, the productivity of rice in the State is comparatively low due to the agro-climatic conditions. Therefore, the introduction of Stress Tolerant Rice Varieties (STRVs) will be really a step forward for better productivity,� said Director of Agriculture MS Manivannan while speaking on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Nafees Meah, Regional Representative for IRRI-South Asia, said, �In the North East, rice occupies nearly 85 per cent of cropped area, and thus reliance on rice crop for boosting welfare in Assam is high. The IRRI is glad that the collaborative efforts of partners in the APART project, by way of the Rice Knowledge Bank � Assam portal, will provide updated knowledge on production techniques, technologies and agronomy guides, and empower farmers with better decision-making, leading to increase in farmer incomes and improved sustainability.�
