The Papaya being one of the important fruits crops in Jharkhand is mainly grown in the backyard gardens of the houses in the state. Even though, being grown in the homestead and consumed by the farmers, the scientific papaya cultivation is at its infancy among the state’s tribal farmers.   For the purpose of bridging the gap, the Farming System Research Centre for Hill and Plateau Region, Ranchi of ICAR-RCER, in Gumla, Ranchi and Lohardaga district of Jharkhand undertook the technology demonstration on scientific papaya cultivation during 2018-19. The demonstration was carried out under the Tribal Sub Plan of ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Fruits. To mobilize the tribal farmers, PRADAN (Professional Assistance for Development Action), a NGO working in the field of farm livelihood landed its hand-holding support. Around 8 Extensive Field Training along with exposure visits of the tribal farmers on scientific papaya cultivation were undertaken before...

The availability of green fodder for the livestock of the farmers of arid regions has been a challenging task due to the harsh and unpredictable environment of the regions. Providing a significant solution for the problem, the ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, Rajasthan has come up with a new fodder crop, that is, Fodder Beet (Beta vulgaris), a plant that produces tubers of an average weight of 5 to 6 kgs.   The crop having a potential to produce >200 tonnes / ha green biomass in a time of 4 months, can be grown very profitably with poor quality of water and soil also. Fodder from this crop remains available between January and April when there is meager availability of other fodder crops. With the cost of production less than 50 paisa per kilogram of biomass produced, the crop has a very high water use efficiency of 28-32 kg green biomass per m3 water. Feeding trials on Tharparkar cattle have shown 8 to 10% improvement in milk yield....

The vegetables seeds mostly are small in size. They are first sown in the nursery beds for better care and then transplanted in the fields. Some vegetables require special care during their early growth period. The production of quality planting materials or vegetable seedlings is important for having good yield. The Bishnupur District, Manipur is considered as a vegetable hub of the state due to the farmers’ indigenous and innovative ideas about farming. The farmers need to boost the productivity of various crops by practicing advanced technologies to feed the burgeoning population. The integration of indigenous and scientific technical knowhow may help in boosting the production of quality planting materials and to meet the rising demand for vegetables. The low investment in the vegetable production will enhance the net profit.   An innovative farmer, Shri Ningthoujam Ingocha Singh S/o (L) N. Kamdebo Singh of Kumbi Terakha Village, Bishnupur District owns 0.5 ha of land...

Being the connoisseurs of non-vegetarian foods, the people of Telangana consumes around one third of the country’s mutton. Trained under the “Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav” Programme by the scientists of the ICAR-National Research Centre on Meat, Hyderabad, the women group of Irkode Village in Siddipet District of Telangana State have become successful entrepreneurs through the production of non-vegetarian pickles and other value-added meat products. They now sell the products innovatively through the “Meat on Wheels” Van.   Irkode, a small village around 6 Kms from Siddipet town in Telangana has been adopted by the ICAR-NRC on Meat under the MGMG Programme. The majority of women in the village are poor and earn their livelihood through daily wage labors. With an aim to empower them through the entrepreneurial activities, these women were educated about the scope of marketing meat and meat products.      With the help of Society for Elimination of Rural...

27th February, 2020, NASC Complex, New Delhi “The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is safe and fully secure” said Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare in his address during the 91st Annual General Meeting of the ICAR held today. The Minister applauded the important role being played by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in enhancing the agricultural production of the country. He emphasized on the quality of researches being carried out by the scientists that have helped the country to be self-sufficient in food crop production. He stressed on creating awareness among the farmers about the ICAR’s latest technologies to enhance their income.     Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Railways & Commerce and Industry stated that a revolution in research can be achieved by the collaborative efforts of the government sector, academicia and industry. While highlighting the benefits of PMFBY, he said...