NT NETWORK
PANAJI
Governor Dr Mridula Sinha asserted that tribal women have enough agricultural knowledge which needs to be enhanced further with modern techniques of farming and adequate support. Their endeavour in farming will definitely help to increase farm production and, thereby, make them self reliant, she added.
Sinha was speaking as the chief guest at Canacona Farmers Meet organised for distribution of planting material of horticultural crops to tribal farmers under Tribal Sub Plan Programme (launched by ICAR) at Ela Old Goa.
Sinha said that she was happy to know about tremendous response from tribal women in undertaking farming with the support of ICAR. She advised them to nurture plantation with proper care, avail of the benefit of agricultural schemes and work to enhance the agricultural scenario of the nation.
Director of ICAR, Dr Narendra Pratap Singh, in his welcome address, said that the ICAR strives to reach technology to the farmers to enable them to undertake scientific and mechanised farming for increasing farm production.
He said ICAR imparts training to farmers, give them exposure to new techniques of farming, provides financial, logistic support etc.
Director of Agriculture Ulhas Pai Kakode lauded the initiatives of ICAR taken to encourage agricultural activities among the farmers groups in Canacona. ICAR has been instrumental in encouraging agricultural activities thereby providing self employment to many youths, he said. A Desai, senior scientist- ICAR, shared his experiences with various agricultural groups of ST people from Canacona taluka during last three years.
Members of various farmers groups, self help groups lauded the efforts provided to boost agricultural activities in Canacona taluka. Governor, on this occasion, also released annual report of the Institute and awarded cash prize of Rs 3lakh to Shree Taleshwar Farmers Group for enhanced production of turmeric.
Governor and other dignitaries handed over saplings of nutmeg, black pepper, coconut, mango and cashew grafts to members of various groups of farmers.