ICAR-IIHR organized 4 days training programme at Manipur. On Day 1 the programme was held at NABARD, Imphal wherein more than 40 officials of NGOs, development departments and all the District Managers of NABARD participated. The programme started with introductory remarks and welcome address by Dr M Srinivasa Rao, GM/OIC NABARD, Manipur RO, Imphal, followed by Dr. R. Venkattakumar, Principal Scientist and Head (I/c), Division of Social Sciences and Training talk on FPO and cluster formation and Dr. R. Senthil Kumar, Principal Scientist, Division of Social Sciences and Training delivered a talk on ICAR-IIHR technologies suitable for Manipur. On Day 2, visited Ukhrul district of Manipur, to study the suitability for utilizing the regions of zoom cultivation for Avacado cultivation and increasing local Avacado production and thereby effectively utilizing the marketing channel already available in Manipur for export of Avacado. During the visit, hands on training on canopy management was demonstrated in Nungbi, Naghuri and Paorei villages in Ukhrul district. On Day-3, off-campus training about ICAR-IIHR technologies was conducted Lungphu, Singcha, Marou and Singkap villages of Kamjong district. On Day-4, hands on training for soil health management was conducted in Sanjamung village of Senapathi district. In all the four days, these programmes were organized in association with NABARD officials and local NGOs, wherein more than 160 farmers participated.
Based on the visit, it was found that there is a scope for introduction of the several technologies in Manipur zoom cultivation areas like of Arka Supreme Avacado variety, canopy management strategies in Avacado, use of Macuna as a cover crop in zoom cultivating regions, use of AMC and bio-pesticides. The above technologies can be promoted through either distribution or through technology licensing. The farmer-owned organization can be promoted and introduction of technologies can be done through such organizations. The programme was coordinated by Dr.R.Senthil Kumar, Principal Scientist, Dr.R.Venkattakumar, Principal Scientist and Head (I/c) and Dr. Srinivasa Rao, GM, NABARD.
