BASAR, 31 Jul: The ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region’s Arunachal Pradesh Centre here in Leparada district, in collaboration with the West Siang Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), organised a farmers’ awareness programme on El Niño preparedness and climate-resilient agriculture under the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) Project on Friday at the ICAR’s farm in Gori here.
A total of 20 farmers participated in the programme.
Addressing the gathering, ICAR Arunachal Centre Head (i/c) Dr Doni Jini emphasised the importance of preparedness for El Niño, and encouraged the farmers to adopt climate-resilient technologies and sustainable farming practices to minimise weather-related risks.
KVK Head Dr Manoj Kumar said that El Niño may lead to above-normal temperatures and erratic rainfall, increasing the risk of moisture stress and drought-like conditions, and emphasised on timely contingency planning.
Soil science expert Dr Ampee Tasung dwelt on the likely impacts of El Niño in the hilly regions of Arunachal, and highlighted contingency measures such as soil and water conservation, moisture conservation, mulching, contour farming, and other climate-resilient agricultural practices.
A practical demonstration on preparation and application of jeevamrit was conducted by agronomy senior scientist Dr Sanjay Kumar Pandey to promote sustainable soil health management and natural farming practices.
Technical sessions were conducted by veterinary parasitology expert Dr Joken Bam, animal reproduction and gynaecology expert Dr Binod Kumar Dutta Borah, plant breeding and genetics scientist Dr Patu Khate Zeliang, horticulture expert Dr Thejangulie Angami, and agroforestry expert Dr Rajesh A Alone, who highlighted climate-resilient technologies in their respective disciplines.
KVK PBG specialist Dr Rita Nongthombam and programme assistant Dr Wangnem Rekhung also interacted with the farmers and shared practical recommendations.
The programme concluded with an interactive discussion, during which farmers shared their experiences and received scientific guidance on climate-resilient farming technologies and contingency planning for the upcoming cropping season.
