HT Bureau
DIPHU, June 10: A one-day training programme on cotton crop cultivation, focusing on LRA 5166 and Supriya varieties, was held on Tuesday at Mirdupathar/Sunpura under the Bakalia Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) Circle.
The programme was conducted by ADO Bakalia, Mantu Saikia, with the support of Agriculture Extension Assistants (AEAs) Raju Kumar Kro and Biren Sing Teron, along with Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) Saurabh Dutta from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK).
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A total of 39 farmers from the surrounding areas participated in the training.
In his address, ADO Mantu Saikia explained the cotton cultivation process in detail. He stated that cotton is generally ready for the first picking by the end of November, with a total of 3–4 pickings required. Morning hours are ideal for picking to avoid contamination from dried leaves and branches. After harvesting, seed cotton must be dried for a few hours before storage, he advised.
Highlighting the region’s potential, Saikia said that Karbi Anglong is one of the few areas in Assam where cotton is still cultivated, whereas many other regions have moved away from cotton due to environmental and practical challenges. He emphasized the fertility of the land in Karbi Anglong, which makes it ideal for cotton cultivation. The Dillai and Kheroni Cotton Seed Farms, operated by the Agriculture Department, are active supporters of such initiatives.
Saikia also elaborated on the economic, social, and industrial value of cotton, noting that it is the most widely grown non-food crop globally, supporting millions through farming and the textile industry. Beyond textiles, cotton is also used in oil production, animal feed, and paper manufacturing.
He encouraged the farmers to consider cotton cultivation as a viable and profitable crop. “The Agriculture Department will always stand by the farmers and support them in their efforts,” Saikia assured.
Farmers attending the programme expressed appreciation for the initiative and shared that the training had equipped them with valuable technical knowledge and practical skills.
