State level training cum demonstration programme on kiwi, oranges

ZIRO, Mar 23: Sponsored by National Horticulture Board, Gurgaon (Harayana) and AICRP (Fruits), IIHR Bengaluru, a one-day long state level training cum demonstration programme on kiwi and oranges was on Thursday held at a local hotel in Yachuli here.

Organized by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, the programme was attended by progressive farmers from across the state.

Inaugurating the program, district training officer (FTC) G Hocha exhorted the farmers to utilize the opportunity provided and learn new methods to improve farming practices and productivity.

Later in the technical session ICAR-CISH, Lucknow principal scientist Dr Pandey dealt in length on hi-tech production of kiwi and possibilities and the prospects of subtropical and tropical fruits in Arunachal Pradesh.

During his presentation, Dr Pandey also suggested for introduction of few more male and female varieties of kiwi and more red and yellow fleshed kiwifruit cultivars along with suitable pollinizers compatible to local kiwis at early stages.

He further emphasized on the need to introduce subtropical fruits like mango, guava along with oranges to diversify the foothill area’s expansion program of state.

Dr K K Srivastava, a principal scientist (Horticulture) from Lucknow who has done research in horticulture for more than 14 years in Jammu and Kashmir termed the climatic condition of Ziro similar to that of a few places in Jammu and Kashmir and advocated for cultivation of apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot and nut fruit.

The technical session was followed by an interaction session between the scientists and the farmers wherein issues pertaining to pollination, plant diseases and availability of quality planting materials were elaborately discussed.

Later farmers were also given practical field demonstration pertaining to pruning and agro-techniques at kiwi orchard of Kodak Village, Lower Subansiri.

Among others the programme was attended by Agriculture deputy director Boria Nakum, NABARD DDM O P Mounlang, KVK, Yachuli senior scientist Dr A N Tripathi, members of Kiwi Association of Lower Subansiri, scientists form KVK office and progressive farmers of different villages and regions.