22 November 2022, Varanasi - IRRI South Asia Regional Center (ISARC), Varanasi conducted a one-day capacity development orientation program for farmers and extension workers of Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh as a part of collaboration between IRRI & the ‘Jeetega Kisan’ project.
The aim of the program is to help stakeholders adopt best management practices for the rice-wheat based system and introduce them to IRRI’s digital tools that can help escalate the sustainable rice production systems.
This program, which includes a mix of in-class session, lab tour and field demonstration, gave farmers and extension workers a platform to hone their skills on managing soil health in rice ecosystems, agronomic management for rice-wheat based system under conservation agriculture systems, low-cost insect and pest management options in rice-wheat based cropping systems, and site-specific nutrient management. It also gave them an opportunity to familiarize themselves on how to effectively employ the Rice Crop Manager (RCM) application for getting customized on-farm recommendations.
As part of the program, the participants were encouraged to speak on their on-field concerns, sharing farm insights from the region of Sonbhadra and getting them addressed by subject matter experts. Moreover, the visit to the ISARC lab, farms and fields got the participants interest piqued in rice-value addition, solar bubble dryer, IRRI Super Bag & the cost-effective post - harvest management practices/techniques. To ensure the sustainability of the program, IRRI will continue providing support to these stakeholders through pursuing more capacity development activities that center around digital tools and sustainable rice production.
The opening ceremony was attended by notable guests including Dr. Vikram Patil, Scientist-ISARC, Dr. Ajay Kumar Mishra, Associate Scientist -Soil Science, ISARC and Mr. Gaurav Jaiswal, Ed Tech Specialist, IRRI Education, ISARC.
The program was implemented by IRRI Education, the capacity development, knowledge dissemination unit of ISARC. It has been playing a pivotal role in bolstering the rice based agri-food systems by developing the capacities of the ecosystem stakeholders through education, capacity development & knowledge dissemination activities. The unit regularly collaborates with institutes seeking interventions in the areas of capacity development on climate resilient practices, climate change mitigation, climate adaption & sustainable agri-practices.
With its strategic position in Varanasi, in close vicinity of institutes like Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), these customized programs provide a nurturing environment where knowledge is shared and participation is encouraged.
DCM Shriram Foundation’s Flagship program “Jeetega Kisaan” focuses on the confluence of Water Conservation and Agri- Skilling. It was launched to help farming communities get "More Crop Per crop" from the conserved water. The program is layered on water conservation and aims at an increase in irrigated area, cultivable area, and adoption of advanced agriculture.This program strives to achieve the targets of SGD2 – Zero Hunger. It aims to help small & marginal farmers increase their productivity and income by providing them training on better packages of practices. A Sustainable Paddy/Wheat Program under Jeetega Kisaan program was launched in 2021 for 2000 farmers in 46 villages of Chopan & Robertsganj block of Sonbhadra District of Uttar Pradesh with International Finance Corporation (IFC) & IRRI as the knowledge partners and Indian Society of agribusiness professionals (ISAP) as the implementation partner.
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