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Improved Fruit Varieties Distributed; Focus on Scientific Cultivation and Women-led Self-Help Groups
Pooja Srivastava | Anytime News Network
A focused horticulture development programme for farmers from the Scheduled Caste community was organised at the Gram Panchayat Bhawan in Hardhaurpur village, Bakshi Ka Talab block, Lucknow. The programme was conducted under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Arid Zone Fruits, with emphasis on advanced cultivation practices and field demonstration of new fruit varieties.
Improved Fruit Varieties Distributed
During the programme, farmers received improved planting material of mango, jamun, aonla, lemon, bael and guava. More than 80 farmers from the Scheduled Caste community participated in the initiative.
The programme was aimed at promoting horticulture as a means of improving farmers’ income and nutritional security while encouraging scientific and diversified fruit cultivation.
Science at the Heart of Farming
Dr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Principal Scientist and Project Coordinator, ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Rehmankhera, Kakori, Lucknow, explained scientific methods of fruit cultivation, planting techniques, nutrient management and pest and disease control.
He emphasised that adoption of scientific practices can significantly improve both productivity and quality while helping farmers diversify their fruit-based farming systems.
Women Farmers Take Centre Stage
A significant number of participating women farmers were associated with local self-help groups. Dr. Siddharth Kumar, Senior Research Assistant, along with Narendra Mishra, interacted with farmers on plant quality, improved fruit varieties and scientific horticultural practices.
Farmers also expressed interest in training on button mushroom cultivation, grafting and budding techniques for fruit plants.
Bael Problem Gets Scientific Attention
Farmers from Hardhaurpur highlighted the problem of premature fruit drop in bael cultivation. While many farmers showed strong interest in planting mango and aonla, women farmers also sought greater support for bael-based horticulture.
Responding to their demand, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Singh assured them that a three-day training programme on processing of bael, aonla and jackfruit would be organised at ICAR-CISH, Rehmankhera.
SHGs to Become Rural Enterprise Hubs
The village already has around six to seven women-led self-help groups, which have received skill-based training under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan. Women including Shalini, Sunita, Archana, Asha, Premlata, Roopa, Kamla, Rajeshwari, Urmila, Prema, Meena, Parvati, Shyama, Ritu Chaudhary, Sangeeta Devi, Gudiya, Ruchi, Radha, Malti and Rampyari participated in the initiative.
Krishna Chandra Rawat encouraged the participants to expand fruit plantations and make greater use of government-supported livelihood schemes.
The programme also provided farmers with information on various Government of India schemes and the benefits available through them, strengthening the focus on scientific farming, women-led rural enterprises and sustainable horticultural livelihoods.
