PASIGHAT, Oct 23: The Agriculture Department, East Siang district, Pasighat, launched the Khet Bachao Abhiyan at Yagrung Dere under Pasighat Block on Thursday, with a focus on promoting natural farming, traditional pest management practices and the judicious use of organic inputs to conserve soil health and protect the environment.
The programme was attended by Dr. A. R. Kurubar, Director of Extension Education, Ministry of Agriculture, Raichur, Karnataka, as the chief guest; Toni Siram, Zilla Parishad Member (ZPM), Bosing-I, as the guest of honour; and Dr. Bijendra Singh Rawat, Principal Scientist and Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Pasighat, as the special guest. Members of the KVK's Subject Matter Specialist team also participated in the programme. Shri Dana Moyong, 
District Agriculture Officer (DAO), and Taboh Darang, Agriculture Development Officer (ADO), were present.
Welcoming the farmers, officials and other participants, Taboh Darang, ADO, encouraged them to actively participate in the discussions and apply the knowledge gained during the programme in their respective fields.
Highlighting the objectives of the campaign, Dana Moyong, DAO, emphasised the importance of natural farming, traditional pest control methods and the use of organic manure and farmyard manure. He cautioned that the excessive and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers, weedicides and plant-protection chemicals could adversely affect human health, degrade soil quality and pollute water resources. He urged farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices to maintain soil fertility and ensure long-term agricultural productivity.
Addressing the gathering, chief guest Dr. A. R. Kurubar encouraged farmers to preserve and strengthen their traditional cultivation practices rather than depend excessively on chemical-based farming methods. He suggested that farmers visit agricultural institutions and farming centres in Karnataka to learn about improved organic farming techniques, exchange knowledge and share practical experiences. He also appreciated the natural farming practices prevalent in the region and encouraged farmers to build on their traditional knowledge.
Dr. Bijendra Singh Rawat, Principal Scientist and Head of KVK, Pasighat, informed the farmers that Arunachal Pradesh's reported chemical fertiliser consumption was approximately 4 kg per hectare, compared with the national average of around 250 kg per hectare. He observed that the relatively low consumption offered an opportunity to sustain and strengthen environmentally friendly farming practices in the state. He further informed the gathering that KVK, Pasighat, provides various organic farming inputs and products to farmers at nominal rates to support natural farming. He also invited farmers to share their indigenous knowledge, experiences and innovative farming practices with KVK for wider dissemination.
Guest of honour Toni Siram, ZPM, Bosing-I, thanked the Agriculture Department for organising the programme and facilitating the sharing of agricultural knowledge with farmers. He urged farmers to take advantage of such initiatives and adopt suitable practices to improve agricultural productivity. He also requested the department to extend more farmer-oriented schemes and support to the Bosing-I area, observing that the region's farmers were progressive and its naturally fertile agricultural land held considerable potential for increased production if utilised effectively.
The programme concluded with an emphasis on collective efforts to promote sustainable agriculture, conserve soil health and encourage farmers to integrate traditional wisdom with appropriate scientific practices for long-term agricultural development. DIPRO

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List