Horti training highlights need to upgrade skills

Three-day trainer’s training on ‘Improved production technologies of focus horticulture crops’ was organized by central institute of horticulture, DAC, ministry of agriculture, GoI, Medziphema, at the conference hall, of directorate of horticulture and FP, Guwahati, Assam from August 21 and 23, for state government officials of horticulture department government of Assam.

The objective of the training was to upgrade skills and knowledge so as to increase fruit production with enhanced quality. The training programme was graced by Timothy Hanse, director, directorate of horticulture and FP, Govt. of Assam.

He stressed that genuine planting material was essential to improve production and productivity of fruit crops, for which around 50 nurseries have been selected under RKVY schemes for genuine planting material production and accordingly, innovative schemes and programmes.

The programme was chaired by Dr. Akali Sema, Director, CIH, Nagaland. She highlighted the need of training on improved production technology of horticulture crops and quality planting material.

The resource persons for the training programme were Dr. S. Saikia, chief scientist, HRS, AAU, Kahikuchi, Assam, Dr. J. C Nath, Pr. Scientist, HRS, AAU, Kahikuchi, Assam, Dr. P Borah, Sr. Scientist, HRS, AAU, Kahikuchi, Assam, Dr. KK Deka, Sr. Scientist HRS, AAU, Kahikuchi, Assam, Dr. R K Patel, Scientist, horticulture division, ICAR, Umiam, Meghalaya.

Various topics discussed at the training included “Importance of improved production technologies of horticulture crops, improved production technologies of mango, guava, cashew, pineapple, banana, kashi mandarin, Assam lemon, passion fruit and strawberry.’’
As a part of the training programme, participants were taken for field visit to HRS, AAU, Kahikuchi, Assam and carried out practical demonstration on various aspects of horticulture.

At the valedictory function, certificates were distributed along with reading materials to the participants and feedbacks from the resource persons and participants were also delivered.

Altogether 50 participants from 24 districts attended the training programme.