The team with progressive farmers during the three-day exposure trip to Haryana.
Dimapur, December 17 (MExN): Through the initiative of FOCUS-IFAD project, Government of Nagaland, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) organized a three-day training and exposure visit of officers and farmers to Potato Technology Center, Karnal, Haryana from December 15 to 17.
Supported by the International Potato Center (CIP) India, altogether 22 participants led by S Tainiu, Joint Secretary and State Project Director FOCUS, including four officials from FAO, one each from Horticulture and Agriculture Department, one FOCUS project officer and 14 farmers from eight project implementing districts participated in the programme.
The main objectives of the programme was to learn about advance cultivation practice of Potato adopted in the state of Haryana, new and economic viable potato varieties best suited to the state, to familiarize Apical Rooted Cuttings (ARC) technology introduced by CIP, and to witness the field practice of low-cost potato seeds production.
According to a press release on Friday, during the field visits, the team had interactions with different progressive potato farmers, entrepreneurs on potato seed production of different generations G-0 to G-3 from basic seeds (Minitubers) and further on potato farming of processing varieties and how it has benefited the farmers and enhanced their income. The team also visited FPO Potato pack house at Chhapra, Kurukshetra and observed the process of cleaning, grating, sorting and storing of potato.
A special session with Dr Arjun Singh Saini, Director General – Department of Horticulture, Government of Haryana was also held. He briefed about the Potato Technology Centre (PTC) and CIP activities of potato in Haryana and encouraged the team members to be dedicated and innovative in order to bring changes through farming activities.
The team also visited various PTC farms, as well as the Centre of Excellence for Vegetables Indo-Israel Project, Gharaunda. Dr Mohinder Kadian and Dr Pooja Pandey guided the team members throughout the visit programme, the release stated.
