Port Blair, Nov 18: A series of sensitization programme was conducted on High Quality Protein Maize for livelihood by CARI in association with the Out Reach Centre and KVK, South Andaman at Baratang, Mayabunder and Diglipur from 12th to 14th November, 2013 under the plan and guidance of Dr. S. Dam Roy, Director, CARI.
On 12th November, 2013, the programme was held at Sundergarh Village of Baratang wherein the farmers were sensitized on cultivation of High Quality Protein Maize (HQPM) and the queries raised were adequately addressed. Twenty one farmers attended the programme of which twelve farmers were selected for demonstration of maize in their fields.
On 13th November, 2013, the sensitization programme was conducted at Out Reach Centre of CARI, Diglipur, wherein Mr. Madhusudan Nair, Gram Pradhan, Keralapuram was the Chief Guest. Speaking on the occasion he expressed his happiness on the efforts of the CARI in introducing HQPM and baby corn in Diglipur cluster of villages. He shared his experience of maize cultivation during the time of settlement and spoke about the potential of the crop. He further said that Diglipur is like a green islands which produces both paddy and other high value crops to meet the demand of the people of Port Blair and neighbouring places. He exhorted to adopt diversified farming with crops such as fisheries, flowers, groundnuts, etc. so that the risk of crop loss is managed. More than fifty farmers from seven clusters of villages attended and were selected for demonstration of Maize. In addition many other farmers have also given their consent to take up the crop for demonstration both as mono and mixed crop.
At Lucknow, Webey of Rampur Gram Panchyat , Mayabunder , the programme was conducted on 14th November, 2013, in presence of Pastor Saw Setha and coordinated by Saw Thomson Gram Pradhan & Saw Zachious. More than thirty five farmers participated in the sensitization programme which included the knowledge sharing aspects on HQPM. The participants were very responsive and expressed their desire to grow baby corn as it has got good market potential. The packages of practices on cultivation were dealt in length and during the interaction the doubts were clarified. Pastor Saw Setha appreciated the efforts of Director, CARI in sending his team of scientists to share the knowledge on the latest technology on maize cultivation for livelihood for the betterment of the community.
Dr. Naresh Kumar, Scientist, Plant Breeding and Leader of the Maize sensitization programme of CARI , explained about the PoP, know – how , do -how , value addition and others aspects of HQPM to the participants , while Dr S.K. Zamir Ahmed , Sr. Scientist and Coordinator ORC dealt on the prospects and marketing of the crop & got the feedback during the programmes conducted. Folder in Hindi were also provided as a reference material during the programme.
