Port Blair, May 23: The two days workshop on National Initiative on climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) of Zone-II got inaugurated today at conference hall of CARI, Port Blair by Chief Guest Mr. Rupesh Kumar Thakur IAS, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman.
Speaking on the occasion the Chief Guest focused on how to mitigate climate change in agriculture, application of strategic research, genotype of crops, technology demonstration to enhance the productivity of agricultural crops, profitability and income of farmers. He expressed his happiness on being present on the occasion and selection of KVK Port Blair as a part of NICRA operating at National level. He concluded his remarks by saying that he is open for any development work and association for development in the villages adopted under NICRA.
Dr. Sreenath Dixit, Principal Scientist and Coordinator, NICRA, CRIDA, Hyderabad gave an overview of operationalization of the NICRA project at National level. He highlighted on the strength weaknesses, opportunities, challenges and the holistic approach for adaptation to the whole gamet. He also informed about the establishment of custom hiring centers in 100 villages.
Dr. R.P. Singh Ratan, Directorate of Extension Education, BAU, Ranchi shared his rich experience on the component of NICRA, as technology application by KVK’s for climate resilient agriculture. He stressed that farmers should be taken on community level so as to address the problems through intervention like technology application, training and institute building. Emphasis should be given on increasing the income and profit of the farmers.
Dr. A.K. Singh, Zonal Project Director, Zone-II, Kolkata informed the house the appreciation of the work undertaken by the KVK’s of the Zone- II at National level. He emphasized on the application of location specific technologies suited to particular crops prevalent in that area, hybrid seeds and varieties resistant to different climatic conditions, community nursery and water harvesting structures which is the need of the hour.
Dr. D.R. Singh, Director, CARI in his presidential address remarked that this institute is first to address the problems arised after tsunami in the whole Island ecosystem. After tsunami the major thrust has been given on biodiversity conservation, development of saline resistant variety CARI dhan 5 in rice, Nicorock and Nisibari breed in birds, identification and standardisation of PoP of Morinda citrifolia (Noni) for challenged situation. He also informed that the technology for adaptation developed by the institute is translated by the NICRA project of KVK, Port Blair at two villages i.e., Badmash Pahad and Pourt Mout villages of South Andaman.
At the outset Dr. Nagesh Ram, Programme Coordinator, KVK, CARI, Port Blair welcomed the distinguished dignitaries and delegates and vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. L.B. Singh., SMS, Horticulture.
A total of 15 Programme Coordinators representating Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkand are participating in this Zonal Workshop.
