Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 16:
Under Integrated Pest Management Project of the Department of Agriculture, the Seed Treatment Campaign launched some time back for farmers of the State is continuing successfully.
As a part of the joint initiative of the Integrated Peoples Society (IPS) and farmers of Keirao Bitra to cultivate rabi crops in paddy fields, the campaign was held yesterday at Keirao Bitra.
The initiative aims at cultivating pulses and mustard in 196 hectares.
To make the initiative of cultivating mustard in 171 hectares and pulses (Aparna variety) in 25 hectares successful, Prof Kh Ibohal of Central Agricultural University and Agriculture Officer (Chemistry) Ph Rajendra educated the farmers on scientific methods of cultivating the crops and on protecting the plants from diseases.
They also demonstrated seed treatment.
Later, farmers sowed the treated seeds on fields already prepared for cultivation.
Speaking to reporters, AO Rajendra informed that the Agriculture Department is expecting 16,300 metric tonnes of pulses from 20,400 hectares during 2007-08.To realise the expected the target, the Department is distributing seeds to farmers belonging to different districts of the State, he said.
Not less than 50 metric tonnes of pulses are expected from 25 hectares of fields in Keirao Bitra and Ural, he confided.
Rajendra informed that pesticides being used in seed treatment are bio-pesticides and organic micro-nutrients.
This will facilitate better yield and protection from diseases, he said.
The Agriculture Department will buy the crops produced by the farmers under this arrangement so as to save the Department from spending crores of rupees every year on procuring seeds from other States, Rajendra stated.