By TC News Desk
Agartala, 13th September 2024: ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura Centre organized a “One-day training programme on the scientific cultivation of paddy and input distribution” on Friday as part of contingency measures following floods in Tripura.
This program aimed to educate farmers on advanced paddy cultivation techniques while distributing essential inputs to help recover from the agricultural damage caused by flooding. These relief measures are designed to restore productivity, ensure food security, and support the livelihoods of affected farmers through the use of modern farming practices.
It was attended by more than 20 participants comprising KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendra), FPOs (Farmer Producing Organization), TRLM (Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission) and progressive farmers from the Bagma, Kakraban, Bamutia, Belbari, South Tripura and West Tripura.
Two short duration rice varieties namely Kalinga III and CR Dhan-206, short duration variety of onion viz. Bhima Shakti and biofortified maize variety LQMH 1 were distributed among the progressive farmers.
Dr.B. U. Choudhury, Head, ICAR Tripura Centre, informed that recent floods in Tripura have caused extensive damage to agricultural crops, affecting around 68,826 hectares of farmland. The estimated financial losses from agricultural crop damage amount to Rs 531.25 crore, impacting the livelihoods of over 1,41,406 farmers. Key crops like Aman paddy, covering approximately 1,05,101 hectares, remain submerged, hampering rice production. Other crops, including vegetables and pulses, have also been significantly affected. He discussed the implementation of crucial post-flood measures, such as replanting crops, growing short duration rice varieties, sowing of post kharif pulses, distributing agricultural inputs, and providing medical care to affected livestock, aimed at restoring livelihoods and ensuring food security for affected communities.
Dr. Biswajit Das, Principal Scientist (Horticulture) informed that the recent flood also caused significant damage to horticultural crops across the state. Over 5,614 hectares of horticultural land were affected, with losses estimated at ₹167.14 crore, impacting more than 27,000 farmers. Key horticultural crops such as vegetables, including onion and pointed gourd, were severely hit, and cultivation has been delayed by 1-2 months in many areas due to the inundation.
He suggested quick drainage of waterlogged fields to prevent further crop loss and apply gypsum or lime to restore soil pH and health affected by floodwater. He also told to grow high-quality, flood-tolerant vegetable seeds, including short-duration varieties of onion and pointed gourd.
Dr. Ayam Gangarani Devi and Dr. Rahul Kumar, Training coordinator, discussed the scientific cultivation practices for short duration paddy varieties particularly after post flood situation in Tripura and extended their heartfelt gratitude to the Director, National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), Cuttack, for their invaluable support in providing short-duration rice varieties to the ICAR Tripura Centre as flood relief measures under the NEH program. ICAR Tripura Centre express its gratitude to you, and all the staff involved in this matter for the timely assistance provided to us. The training program concluded with the input distribution of short duration paddy varieties, onion varieties and biofortified maize lines.
ICAR Tripura Centre played a crucial role in post-flood measures in Tripura by assessing crop damage, providing technical guidance on replanting, distributing flood-tolerant and short duration varieties, and offering training to farmers on resilient agricultural practices. It will help to restore agricultural productivity and ensure sustainable recovery efforts.
