ICAR organizes workshop on strategic roadmap for advancing crop improvement

ICAR-RC-NEH Region, Tripura Centre, successfully organized a state-level workshop on ‘Strategic Roadmap for Advancing Crop Improvement to Ensure Livelihood and Nutritional Security in Tripura’ to highlight innovations and advancements in farming.

Governor of Tripura, Indra Sena Reddy Nallu, was unable to attend the workshop in person due to illness. However, his written message was read out by Dr. B. U. Choudhury, Head of ICAR Tripura Centre, highlighted challenges like limited irrigation, soil erosion, and climate variability. He praised ICAR's efforts in developing high-yielding paddy and pulses, Integrated Farming Systems, weed mat technology, and ‘Tokabari’ poultry. Dr. Choudhury informed that ICAR’s paddy varieties cover 68% of the total state’s area and introduced climate-resilient paddy requiring 60% less water that traditional varieties.

Chief Guest, Secretary of ARDD and Fisheries, Smt. Deepa D. Nair highlighted Tripura's progress in fish and livestock production, emphasizing artificial insemination, training, and advanced equipment for farmers. Dr. P. B. Jamatia, Director of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare gave a detailed road map to achieve sustainability, including oil palm cultivation, the MOVCD-NER project, and promoting new horticultural crops like dragon fruit and rambutan, while advocating climate-resilient varieties. Distinguished attendees included Dr. Neeraj Kumar Chanchal, Director of ARDD; Dr. Deepak Kumar Das, Director of Horticulture; Dr. Santosh Das, Director of Fisheries; Dr. A.B. Patel, Dean of the College of Fisheries; and Dr. Uttam Saha, Joint Director, SARS.

This was an unique platform that brought all State Heads from agriculture, horticulture, veterinary, fisheries, ICAR, CAU, NABARD, etc., together in committing resolution for livelihood improvement of farmers of the state. KVK West Tripura and ICAR Tripura Centre organized the ‘Krishi Samriddhi Swarna Week’ exhibition with all 8 KVKs, FPOs, and entrepreneurs. The workshop concluded with a technical session on advances in crop improvement technologies and distribution of high-yielding paddy and pulse varieties to more than 250 farmers.