NAMSAI, 15 Oct: The Namsai Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) celebrated the Women Farmers' Day on Thursday at Napotia village in Namsai district. A total of 28 women farmers participated in the programme.
During the programme, horticulture expert Rebecca Eko delivered an informative lecture on the scientific cultivation of winter vegetables. She explained various scientific practices involved in winter vegetable production, including the selection of suitable varieties, proper land preparation, seed sowing, nutrient management, irrigation, pest and disease management, and timely harvesting.
Plant protection scientist Dr Madhumita Sonowal Bora emphasised the importance of adopting improved agricultural technologies and scientific cultivation practices to enhance vegetable productivity, improve farm income, and ensure availability of fresh and nutritious vegetables for household consumption.
As part of the programme, 28 winter vegetable kits were distributed among the participating women farmers to encourage them to undertake winter vegetable cultivation and adopt improved production practices in their fields and kitchen gardens.
In Papum Pare district, the KVK celebrated the day at its campus in Karsingsa.
Around 62 progressive farmwomen, rural women entrepreneurs, and members of self-help groups (SHGs) and farmer producer organisations (FPOs) from different villages of the district participated in the programme.
NERIST Agricultural Engineering Professor KN Dewangan highlighted the importance of ergonomic hand tools and women-friendly farm machinery in reducing physical drudgery of farmwomen. He stressed on adoption of scientific technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and increase income.
Seven progressive women farmers were felicitated and presented with mementoes in recognition of their exemplary contributions to agriculture and allied sectors. The awardees included leading women farmers, rural entrepreneurs, and outstanding SHG members.
Seven progressive farmers shared their success stories, detailing their journeys towards self-reliance through the adoption of scientific farming practices, horticulture, and allied enterprises.
Technical sessions on scientific and technological solutions for farmwomen were conducted by subject matter specialists of the KVK.
In Lower Subansiri district, the Women Farmers' Day was celebrated at the Kalung Panchayat Hall, bringing together 125 women farmers to honour their hard work, resilience, and vital contributions to society.
The programme was organised by the district agriculture office, under the leadership of District Agriculture Officer Leegang Ania, and was attended also by ZPC Hibu Dumi and ZPMs Kago Kampu, Takhe Omang, Tasso Bune, Subu Yaring, and Tanyang Yajo.
Addressing the gathering, the ZPC urged the women farmers to strive for economic independence and uplift their families and the district. She also appealed to the HoDs of agriculture and allied sectors to give priority to women farmers when rolling out government-sponsored schemes.
The Longding KVK celebrated the day in Mopakhat. The event saw the participation of 36 women farmers, besides gram panchayat members and SHG members, apart from a team of the KVK, comprising KVK Head Dr Utpal Kumar Bhattacharyya, Agronomy Chief Technical Officer A Kirankumar Singh, vegetable science expert Vikas, L&WM engineering expert Dr Amit Kumar, and plant pathology scientist Dr Deep Narayan Mishra.
Singh highlighted the importance of the day and the role of the women farmers in production of crops, vegetables, livestock and fishes in the Northeastern region.
Vikas spoke on vegetable production for income generation throughout the year, while Dr Kumar highlighted water and soil conservation measures in order to reduce soil erosion.
Dr Mishra dwelt on bio-pesticides for controlling different insect pests of crops and vegetables.
