BISWANATH CHARIALI, March 14 - A day-long awareness-cum-training programme on wheat cultivation was held recently at the Biotech Hub of Biswanath College of Agriculture in Biswanath Chariali. The programme was sponsored by ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal, Haryana.
The training programme was attended by a team of scientists from the Haryana-based institute led by Dr G Singh, Zonal Coordinator of North Eastern Plain Zone. The inaugural session of the programme was presided over by Dr RN Barman, Associate Dean of the college and thanked the authorities of the Indian Institute of Wheat Research for organising such a programme at the college.
It is to be noted that the programme was organised in connection with the wheat research programme being undertaken at the college under the aegis of the Central institute.
Dr MK Sarma, collaborating scientist of the wheat research programme in the college and coordinator of Biotech Hub, enlightened the trainees on the objective of the programme.
The training was also attended by a group of faculty members from the college, development officers of the State Department of Agriculture, representatives of NGOs and a group of experienced farmers.
Dr Amit Kumar Sharma from the Indian Institute of Wheat Research enlightened the trainees on the problems and prospects of cultivation of wheat in the North-east. Participating as experts, the team of scientists deliberated on various issues related to the pros and cons of wheat cultivation in the State.
MG Sahoo, Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer of Biswanath, elaborated the attempts of the State government in accelerating the wheat production and highlighted on the local issues related to the bottleneck of the cultivation in the State. Farmers and various stakeholders present in the meeting also shared their experiences on wheat cultivation in the past.
Coordinator of the wheat research for the North East Plain Zone, Dr G Singh, opined that new technologies are now available to overcome the already existing barriers and it would be possible to cultivate wheat profitably in the State in the near future. He assured the interested farmers that seeds of new varieties would be provided to the willing farmers in the coming season.
