HT Bureau
DIPHU, June 21: Amri Helping Hands Society (AHHS), an NGO and project implementing agency of Model Millet Project in the district of West Karbi Anglong funded by NABARD, Assam Regional Office conducted a capacity building cum awareness programme for Millet farmers as a part of Commemorating International Year of Millets 2023 (IYM) at Umpanai on June 20. The programme was aimed at harnessing the untapped potential of millets for food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture.
Related Posts:
The Agriculture Development Officer (ADO), Agriculture Department, Olivina Katharpi in her interaction with the farmers emphasised on the scientific method of farming and sustainable agriculture. She also explained the farmers on the methods of cultivating the millets which can bring good yield. She also spoke on the various benefits of Millet farming which can double the farmer’s income and the types of machineries used for harvesting and post harvesting.
ADO, Biraj Kalita during his interaction with the farmers spoke about various ways of preventing disease of the crop during cultivation. He also spoke about the importance of line cultivation instead of broadcasting which is usually adopted during the cultivation in the hills.
The Branch Manager, Assam Gramin Vikash Bank (AGVB), Ulukunchi branch, DhaniramTeron during his speech informed the farmers about the KCC and its benefits and the procedure to avail it.
District Development Manager, NABARD, West Karbi Anglong KamkhoginVaiphei informed that the model millet project is a very ambitious project launched for the benefit of farmers and is being constantly monitored by top management of NABARD. He encouraged the farmers and other stakeholders to make it a grand success. He explained in detail the concept and benefits of Farmers Producer Company (FPC) and advised the Project Implementing Agency, AHHS to speed up the formation of millet based FPC in the area to be supported by NABARD for helping the farmers in bulk procurement of inputs at lesser cost, for organised marketing and easy access to bank credit. Information on marketing avenues, types of suitable storage facilities, vendors for machinery and institutions available for knowledge support and exposure visits for farmers was provided to the participants. DDM explained the benefits of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme and importance of timely repayment by borrowers and requested the AGVB BM to extend maximum possible KCC loans based on the approved Scale of Finance.
The team also visited a millet cultivation site and has shared vital technical guidance to AHHS for improving the production of Millet in order to increase the income of the farmers. Line sowing and transplantation methods in place of broadcasting methods for efficiency and better output and growing finger millets just after harvesting of foxtail millets for optimum land utilisation was discussed.
