TAWANG, AUG 27:
ICAR–Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (ICAR-VPKAS), Almora, in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Tawang, organised a series of finger millet field days, farmer–scientist interactions, frontline demonstrations and demonstrations of the Vivek Millet Thresher-cum-Pearler at different villages of Tawang district from August 17 to 26 under the ICAR-VPKAS North-Eastern Hill (NEH) Programme.
The programme was aimed at strengthening the dissemination of improved finger millet production technologies and promoting their wider adoption among farmers. Scientists and KVK personnel interacted extensively with farmers on improved cultivation practices, varietal performance, seed production and exchange, crop management, harvesting and post-harvest management.
The interactions also provided a platform for farmers to share their experiences, cultivation challenges and preferences. Particular attention was given to the performance of VL Mandua 376, which farmers found promising in comparison with their traditional local cultivars.
The programme commenced on August 17 at Kyidphel, where a Farmer–Scientist Interaction was held with 23 farmers. On August 18, a Finger Millet Field Day was organised at Baghar village under Lungla Block, with the participation of 39 farmers.
This was followed by a demonstration of the Vivek Millet Thresher-cum-Pearler at Phomang, attended by 30 farmers.
On August 19, activities were taken to the Zemithang–Dudunghar Block, where a Farmer–Scientist Interaction along with a demonstration of the Vivek Millet Thresher-cum-Pearler was organised at Namtsering, involving 34 farmers. Field Days and Farmer–Scientist Interactions were subsequently held at Dongmareng, with 20 farmers, and Bletteng, with 48 farmers.
On August 20, a Field Day was organised at Gongkhar, Mukto–Bongkhar, with 16 farmers, while a Farmer–Scientist Interaction at Gyamdong witnessed the participation of 50 farmers.
The outreach continued through a series of Farmer–Scientist Interactions at Grengkhar on 21 August with 12 farmers; Khyed on 22 August with 9 farmers; Bomja on 23 August with 16 farmers; Bongleng on 24 August with 20 farmers; and Sherbang, Lungla, on 25 August with 23 farmers.
On August 26, a Farmer–Scientist Interaction was organised at Ruikhar, Kyidphel, with 12 farmers, while a Frontline Demonstration on finger millet was conducted at Shernub village.
Across the different locations, VL Mandua 376 demonstrated encouraging performance under farmers’ field conditions, exhibiting good crop growth, effective tillering, well-filled panicles and bold grains. One of its major advantages is its shorter crop duration, with the variety maturing approximately 25–35 days earlier than local cultivars while providing higher grain yield.
The early-maturing characteristic is particularly beneficial to farmers in Tawang, as it reduces the period during which standing crops need to be guarded against wild animals, thereby helping save considerable time and labour.
The Vivek Millet Thresher-cum-Pearler also generated keen interest among participating farmers. Its potential to reduce the labour and drudgery traditionally associated with millet threshing and processing was highlighted during the field demonstrations.
The field-level interactions enabled farmers to directly observe the performance of improved technologies and discuss their experiences with agricultural scientists. At the same time, the programme helped scientists gain valuable insights into farmers’ production constraints, local cultivation practices and technology requirements.
The series of activities forms part of the continuing efforts of ICAR-VPKAS, Almora and KVK Tawang to strengthen technology dissemination, enhance millet productivity and encourage the wider adoption and horizontal spread of improved finger millet varieties and technologies in the North-Eastern Hill region. (DIPR)
