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KVK West Khasi Hills

NEWSLETTER

VOL: 1 NO.7 JULY-DECEMBER 2013

CONTENTS

� HIGHLIGHTS OF THE KVK ACTIVITIES

� IMPORTANT EVENTS

� ON FARM TRIALS

� FRONTLINE DEMONSTRATIONS

� FIELD DAY

� TRAINING CONDUCTED

� OTHERS

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE KVK ACTIVITIES (July-December, 20 13)

Activities No. Beneficiaries On Farm Trial (OFT) 10 62 Front line Demonstration (FLD) 6 42 Field Day 8 289 Training for Practicing Farmers 72 3184 Training for Farm women 15 537 Training for Rural Youth 6 161 Training for Extension Personnel 1 8 Other Activities

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IMPORTANT EVENTS

� WORLD FOOD DAY: Keeping in mind the need for food security and

sustainability World Food Day was held at Tengri village on the 16th October.

On this occasion farmers were highlighted on the importance of value addition

to fruit crop. Most importantly, a live demonstration on squash preparation

was given to the participating farmers by the Horticulture Subject Matter

Specialist. The prepared squash was distributed to all the farmers of the village

including the young children who attended the programme.

� Sohphlang and Nei Show: The Sohphlang (Flamengia spp.) and Nei (Perilla

frutecens) show was the first of its kind held at U Tirot Sing Memorial hall

Pyndengumiong, Mairang on the 13th and 14th of December. The show was

organised with the objective of encouraging farmers of the district to continue

the cultivation of this indigenous crop, widely popular in the state. Also seen

in the show was the diversity of the produce.The exhibits were placed under

various categories like Sohphlang Long, Sohphlang Round, Neilieh

Big,Neilieh Small and Neinar. The winners were appraised with cash prize

(First prize, Rs.1500/-,Second prize, Rs.1250/- Third Prize, Rs.750/-and

consolation prize Rs.500/-)along with a certificate. Our guests on the occasion

was the Director of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture, Meghalaya Shri.

D Ingti, the former Director of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture Dr. J.K

Durong, the Joint Director of Agriculture cum Nodal Officer of KVKs Shri

D.S.Lyngdoh. Also present were officers from SDAO Mairang, officers from

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DHO and DAO Nongstoin and from the Directorate of Agriculture. A total of

146 exhibits were displayed, under the various categories, for judging. The

winners were

For Sohphlang jrong(Long):

First Prize:Shri Trilang Nongsiej from Tengri Village

Second Prize:Smt.Bilinda Syiemlieh from Tengri Village

Third Prize: Smt.Mandalin Marngar from Nongjlak village

First consolation Prize:Smt.Monda Nongsiej from Tengri Village

Second consolation Prize:Smt.Nerilian Nongsiej from Tengri Village

For Sohphlang pyllun(Round):

First Prize: Smt.Bilinda Syiemlieh from Tengri Village

Second Prize: Shri Trilang Nongsiej from Tengri Village

Third Prize: Smt.Nerilian Nongsiej from Tengri Village

First consolation Prize:Shri Kan Ryntathiang from Nongthliew village

Second consolation Prize:Smt.Tran Lawrynniang from Mawiong village

For Neilieh baheh(Big):

First Prize: Smt.Krik Marngar from Nongjlak Village

Second Prize: Smt.Bilinda Syiemlieh from Tengri Village

Third Prize: Smt.Sehai Marwein from MawkohngeiVillage

First consolation Prize:Smt.Triseina Wanniang from Mawthong village(South

West Khasi Hills).

For Neilieh barit (Small):

First Prize: Smt.Melislilda Paliar from Nonglwai Village

Second Prize: Smt.Thija Hoojon from Permadan village Village

Third Prize: Shri Willy Rngai from Nonglwai Village

First consolation Prize:Smt.Aquila Tympuin from Nonglwai village

Second consolation Prize: Smt.Licia Lyngkhoi from Nonglwai village

For Neilieh Neinar (Hard):

Third Prize:Shri Kan Ryntathiang from Nongthliew village

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ON FARM TRIALS (OFTs)

Ten OFTs were completed during this period which benefited 62 farmers

� Construction of Jalkund to improve rural livelihood : An OFT was conducted to

overcome the shortage of water during Rabi season by construction of Jalkund to

improve the rural livelihood of the farmers, the Jalkund was costructed during the

month of September 2013.

� Varietal performance of French bean: Legumes are the important and cheapest source of protein and carbohydrate. They are the natural mini-nitrogen manufacturing factory in the field. Legumes also help in solubilizing insoluble P in soil, improving the soil physical environment, increasing soil microbial activity and organic matter restoration, smothering weed and reducing disease pest load. Most of the legumes are indigenous and as such have been cultivated for years. An OFT was conducted on the performance of frenchbean at Nongpyndeng Village and Mairang Village.

� Varietal performance of Lettuce: An OFT was conducted to facilitate sustainable

enhanced production of Lettuce at Nongpyndeng and Nonglwai

� Spawn Production of Oyster Mushroom: Spawn is the key input in mushroom

cultivation. Availability of mushroom spawn is the major constrain in mushroom

production at farmer’s field. Farmers find difficulty in procuring spawn from

research centres and institutes on financial and transportation ground. If quality

spawn is available at farmers level, mushroom cultivation can be popularized easily

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among farming community. Keeping this wide scope in view, low cost spawn

production has been initiated at Tengri village of West Khasi Hills.

� Growing Tomato the safeway: Due to indiscriminate used of fungicides increases the resistance of diseases to different chemical fungicides. An OFT was conducted at Mawphanniew village.

� Formation of Farmers club

� Technology backstopping with introduction of backyard poultry (Vanaraja &

Gramapriya birds)

� Rice-fish Culture: Expecting the benefits of integrated rice-fish farming in

terms of enhanced productivity, optimum and double utilization of paddy

field, on farm trial was conducted by the KVK West Khasi Hills where it is

possible to produce fish and rice simultaneously from the same plot of land

and also to discourage the farmers from converting their rice fields. The trail

was done at Pyrda village of West Khasi Hills as this kind of Aquaculture-

Agriculture integration is very new to the District even fish farming itself

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using scientific knowledge is new. This is one of the most ideal methods of

land use especially for farmers having very less land holding.

� Composite Fish Culture: Composite Fish culture (instead of unscientific culture of single species or different incompatible fish species), integrated fish culture, poly culture, paddy-cum-fish culture, artificial breeding in Chinese Hatcheries or FRP (Fibre Re-enforced Plastic) Hatcheries, etc. Only very few farmers practice scientific Fish culture while majority needs proper training as commercial fish culture itself is very new to the State.

� Rural poultry farming with improved breed of backyard chicken: To

meet the nutrient requirement of the rural poor there is a need for improving

the nutritional security through introduction of improved breed of poultry

birds. The rearing of desi chicken with low egg and meat production in

backyard system not only is the reason for deficient of animal protein but also

lesser income to the farmers. The introduction of improved varieties of birds

viz: Vanaraja and Gramapriya will help to alleviate the income as well as the

nutritional status of the rural people.

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FRONTLINE DEMONSTRATIONS

Six FLDs were completed during this period which benefitted 42 farmers

� SRI culture for water economy and higher productivity: An FLD was conducted on

SRI during May to November 2013 in Mawkhap and Nonglwai village to overcome the

problem of Low Yield due to Broadcasting of rice.

� Assesment of direct seeded rice variety : Assesment of direct seeded rice variety :

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� Integrated Nutrient Management on carrot: Front Line Demonstration (FLD) on improved cultivation practices location specific package of practice on carrot at Pyrda Village.

� Effect of organic manure on broccoli: An experiment was conducted on broccoli variety Fiesta in Mairang village for higher yield and reduced input costs under organic management as well as for its acceptance by the farmers.

� Showcasing of use of bio-control agent for management of pests in rice ecosystem

� Management of rice Gundhi bug by using crab trap

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FIELD DAYS

Seven Field days was conducted during this period which benefitted 289

farmers. Field days are meant to depict to farmers the efficiency and usefulness of the

research undertaken in their field and using the said technique and technology as

introduced by the subject experts.

TRAININGS CONDUCTED

1. Training for Practicing Farmers: Training forms an essential part of the

curriculum of the farmers for more efficient management of his farm and

farming. During this period a total of 72 training were conducted in various

villages of West and South West Khasi Hills which had benefitted 3184

farmers.

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2. Training for Farm women:

Rural women play an important role in the day to day farming activities.

Fifteen training programs specific for farm women was conducted in the

district during the period which had benefitted 537 farm women.

� Training for Rural youth: Rural youth are the future of the farming

community. These need a strong base so that they can establish themselves

well as potential progressive farmers as well as entrepreneurs and bringing

about a better living status among the farming community. A total of 6

trainings was conducted which benefitted 161 youth from across the district.

� Training for Extension Personnel: A training was conducted during the

period for 8 extension personnel.

� Training on Hybrid Maize Seed Production: Six farmers from Nongjlak

were selected to attend the said training at ICAR Research Complex for the

North Eastern Region.

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� Collaboration Training: 1)Nongstoin Social Service Society 2)PISCI-AGRI and

ECO-TOURISM ASSOCIATION,MAWLIEH sponsored by Director, ICAR

N.E.H Region Umiam 3)DAO,DHO Mawkyrwat

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OTHER ACTIVITIES 1. Diagnostic visits: 121 diagnostic visits were made to the farmer’s field

which benefitted 653 farmers.

2. Scientist visit to farmer’s field: SMSs made 152 visits to the farmer’s

field which benefitted 683 farmers.

3. Farmers visit to KVK West Khasi Hills : 68 farmers visited the office

during this period.

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4. Kisan Mobile Advisory Service: This advisory service is meant to keep

farmers informed and updated of important technologies, ongoing

activities and programs. During this period messages related to agriculture,

fishery and animal husbandry was disseminated to the farmers of the

region. A total of 30 different messages were sent to 327 farmers during

the period between July to December.

5.Radio talks: Three radio talks was made during the period between July

to December. On 09.08.2013, the Programme Coordinator was given a talk

to the farmers through All India Radio on “Ka jingiada bad sumar ia u

syieng na ka jingpang pyut da kita ki rukom kaba khlem da pynmynsaw

than eh ia ka mei mariang bad ia ki nongbam syieng”.(Eco-friendly

management of ginger rot/soft rot of ginger).On 16th October,3013 on

“World Food Day” and on 14th December 2013 on “Sohphlang and Nei”

Radio talks

6.HRD Programme: The Farm Manager attended the HRD Programme on “Farm

Management and Mechanization” held on 11th and 12th November, 2013 at CIFRI,

Guwahati which was organised by Zonal Project Directorate, Zone-III, ICAR,

Umiam.

7.Vegetable show: The Nonglwai village under “Ka Nonglwai Farmers Association”

the leading vegetable growing village in West Khasi Hills with the support from the

DHO, Nongstoin held the annual “VEGATABLE SHOW” on 5th December, 2013.

Farmers from Nonglwai and neighbouring villages brought their vegetables to

compete for the best vegetable of the year 2013. This show brought encouragement

for many farmers to take up the cultivation of vegetables as an important income

generator apart from paddy.

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8.Showcasting: The Importance and advantages of Eco-friendly management of

pests in Rice by using of Bio-control agent has been showcasing at Markasa village

on the roadside of Shillong –Nongstoin road

9.PRA: Four PRA has been done during this period for our adopted villages

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10. Training for Programme co-ordinators:Trai

11.Exhibition: Participated in the Seminar cum Vegetable show organised by

SDAO,Mairang and our farmers won many prizes.

12.National Workshop on “Outscaling Farm Innovation”(September3-5,2013 at

NASC Symposium Hall, New Delhi: Our Farmer smt.Sketina Kharbani from

Nonglwai village ,a farm Innovator was given a presentation on “Protected cultivation

off season vegetable and flower cultivation’

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13. TSP: In collaboration with ICAR N.E.H Region Umiam, demonstrations and

trainings in different specialities was conducted in eight different villages.

14. TRAINING: SMS Fishery attended training on “Diversification of Aquaculture Practices in NE Region” at College of Fisheries,Lembucherra, Tripura (West) from 06th– 08th Aug 2013.

North-East Newsletter:

� Effect of date of planting on the performance of broccoli in West Khasi Hills

district of Meghalaya. Curd yield was found to be highest when planted on

15th September.

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Published by:-

The Programme Co-ordinator

Krishi Vigyan Kendra West Khasi Hills

Nongshillong, West Khasi Hills District

Meghalaya- 793119

Website: http://kvkwestkhasihills.nic.in

Email: kvk.wkh-meg@nic.in / kvkwkh@gmail.com

THE STRENGTH OF OUR KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA.

From:-

M. Dkhar

Programme Co-ordinator

Krishi Vigyan Kendra West Khasi Hills

Nongshillong, West Khasi Hills District BOOK POST

Meghalaya- 793119

TO

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