The training program on “Improved Horticulture Technologies” was organized for farmers of Balangir, Odisha by Division of Social Sciences & Training at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru. The main objective of the programme was to create awareness and provide orientation to the farmers on ICAR-IIHR’s technologies for cultivation of vegetables, flowers and fruits. The six-day training programme saw active participation of 24 trainees who gained valuable knowledge from a comprehensive curriculum.
About twenty-three sessions were arranged during the training. These included advanced technologies in vegetable crop production, seed production techniques for vegetables, nutrient and water management in fruit crops and natural farming practices for horticultural crops. Participants were also introduced to advanced floriculture technologies, including vertical farming and hydroponics, pest and disease management in major horticultural crops, advances in fruit crop production technologies, and apiculture. The training also covered improved mushroom production techniques, soilless cultivation of vegetables and medicinal crops, post-harvest technologies and value addition in horticultural crops. Other sessions included incubation processes for technology commercialization, greenhouse structure design and fabrication for protected cultivation, and business plan preparation for agricultural enterprises. At the end of each session, farmers interacted with the scientists, raising queries and receiving detailed explanations on various topics.
In addition to the technical sessions, several field visits both in the campus and outside the campus especially to nurseries and Lalbagh Flower Show 2025. During the valedictory programme on 18.01.2025, the participants were awarded certificates of completion for the training. The training was coordinated by Dr. Ramya H. R., Dr. Raju R., Dr. Atheequlla G. A., and Dr. Rajiv Kumar.
