Port Blair, May 11:Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), Port Blair in association with Directorate of Maize Research (DMR), ICAR, New Delhi has conducted one day interface meet cum Sensitization Programme on Prospects and Scope of Maize in Islands on 11 May 2012 at its Garacharma Research Complex.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. D.R. Singh, Director (Acting), CARI emphasized to explore the possibilities of growing maize and also have the partnership with DMR for strengthening research programmes on maize so as to meet the demand for feed, food and fodder of the stake holders. Dr. R.Sai Kumar, Director, DMR, assured for all the possibilities from his side and also discussed on the research and technology interventions to increase the productivity of maize in these islands with collaborative efforts of CARI, DMR and line departments.
Initially Dr. Naresh Kumar, Scientist, CARI in his presentation gave the background of the maize crop in these island, its status that about 200 ha is grown under maize with very low productivity of about 1.8 tons per hectare as compared to maize hybrids having productivity potential of 9-10 tons per hectare in mainland. Mr. M.A. Salam, Director of Agriculture and Dr. Sugriv Singh from Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services of A & N Administration appreciated the efforts of the Director, CARI and his team of scientists in organizing very focused programme on maize involving the end users. They also informed on the need of best variety and availability of seeds in time for cultivation and popularization of maize in these island. The programme was attended by the scientists from CARI,DMR, Subject Matter Specialists from KVK, and officers from Department of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry.
On 12 th May 2012, a joint sensitization programme will be conducted with maize growing farmers at KVK, Sippighat to provide valuable technological inputs by the DMR team. Thereafter they will be visiting Bloomsdale Research Farm at Chouldhari to review the exploratory maize research trials conducted by the scientist.
