Tura, Aug 19: Over 250 farmers from the region benefitted from a Capacity Building Program on ICAR-IIHR Technologies for Strengthening Horticultural Crop Production held at Chotto Bollanggre, Purakhasia.
The programme was jointly organised by the Department of Horticulture, NEHU Tura Campus, and the All Garo Hills Multipurpose Co-Operative Society (AGHMPCS) on Monday.
Chief Guest Ian Botham K. Sangma, MLA of Salmanpara, distributed ARKA vegetable seed kits provided by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru, to the farmers. He urged the farming community to adopt modern ICAR-IIHR technologies to boost production, improve livelihoods, and position Garo Hills as a hub for horticultural exports. Rakesh K. Sangma, MDC, echoed this, encouraging farmers to tap into the economic potential of high-value crops.
Prof. C.P. Suresh, Organizing Secretary from NEHU’s Department of Horticulture, acknowledged the support of IIHR Director Dr. Tushar Kanti Behera and Principal Scientist Dr. Shakthivel for providing valuable inputs and technologies. He also expressed gratitude to NEHU Vice Chancellor Prof. P.S. Shukla, Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Fameline M. Marak, and HoD Dr. Kalkame Ch. Momin for championing capacity-building initiatives to uplift farmers’ livelihoods.
Prof. Suresh, who also serves as the nodal officer for IIHR inputs distribution in the North Eastern Himalayan Region, urged farmers to utilise every seed effectively and assured continued supply of high-quality inputs for the region.
Fr. Dr. Sunny Joseph, Secretary of AGHMPCS, lauded the Chief Minister’s initiatives on cashew and pineapple processing. The programme also saw participation from Mrs. Valentina K. Marak (Sub-Registrar, Cooperative Societies, West Garo Hills), A.K. Marak (BDO, Purakhasia), Kitmiller Sangma (DDM, NABARD), V. Valentine (DPM, MBMA), and a large number of women farmers from the Garo community.
The organisers assured sustained support through further training and technical assistance as farmers integrate IIHR technologies to scale up high-value horticultural production in Meghalaya.
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