Farmers' Awareness Programme On Aromatic Crop Production

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Scientists urged farmers of the state to boost their yield with the adoption of modern technology and take up cultivation of aromatic plants for a number of benefits.

A farmers' awareness and training programme was jointly organized by scientists of National Institute of Plant Biotechnology (NIPB), New Delhi and Central Institute of Aromatic Medicinal Plants, Lucknow at Pabitra Mohan Institute of Technology (PMIT), Talcher on July 11 and 12.

Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest, former Union Minister of State for Agriculture Dr Debendra Pradhan, urged the farmers to adopt novel technologies for multiplying agricultural production for a sustainable growth of the agrarian sector. Dr Pradhan lauded the efforts of the scientists of NIPB who have been striving their best to develop novel methods for boosting crop production in the country. He said raising of aromatic plants help protect other crops from being destroyed by animals.

Chairperson of Vikash Trust, Mridula Pradhan, urged women cultivators to acquire the know how to benefit immensely in farming and said they must take the lead. Principal scientist of Central Institute of Aromatic Medicinal Plants, Dr Prashant Kumar Rout, explained how farming of aromatic plants, lemon grass, pamarosa and Tulsi will greatly benefit the agrarian community in the state.

The programme was graced by Director, NIPB, Ajit Kumar Shasany, Principal Scientist Ashwini Nanabare, scientists of Krushi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of Dhenkanal and Angul districts, Bimalendu Mohanty and Debashish Mishra and Science Communicator Laxminarayan Boxi.

Nearly 200 farmers were distributed with mango saplings, high yielding paddy and lemon grass. The programme was moderated by Satya Prakash Nayak with the cooperation of PMIT staff.