Training to AEOs of Medak district on production technologies of Oil seed crops under IFS-OFR Rajendranagar.

In India oil seed area and production is low. Its area has been decreasing drastically since last decade. Especially in Telangana, area is reduced. Cultivation of oil seed crops mostly under rainfed and low fertile soils, lack of awareness to farmers on advance production technologies, less remunerative market prices, inclination of farmers towards commercial crops, partial mechanization, low value additions are the reasons for lesser cultivation of oil seed crops in India, especially Telangana.

Keeping in view of the above, ICAR-IIFSR modipuram, Meerut sponsored a training programme in collaboration with AICRP on IFS, Rajendranagar on oil seed crops and cropping sequences to Agricultural Extension Officers under farming system component to create awareness at field level for diversification towards oil seed crops.

In this context, OFR centre, Medak AICRP on Integrated Farming System chalked out two days training programme from 15-16 March 2019 to Agricultural Extension Officers, the base level workers to impart recent advances in oil seed crop production. The training programme conducted to 20 number of Agricultural Extension Officers, Medak district with the involvement of Agricultural department, Medak and Krishi Vignana Kendra, Tuniki, at Dr.D.Rama Naidu Vignana Jyothi Insititute of Rural Development, Tuniki, Medak district.

The inaugural programme was conducted on forenoon of 15-03-19. Dr.M.Goverdhan, Principal Scientist (Agro) & Head, AICRP on IFS, Rajendranagar, Dr.Md.Latheef Pasha, Senior Scientist (Agro), OFR centre, AICRP on IFS, Smt Ch.Pragathi Kumari, Scientist (Agro), AICRP on IFS, Rajendranagar, Dr. Arjun Rao, Director, D.Rama Naidu Vignana Jyothi Institute of Rural Development, Tuniki, Medak district, Sri Azmeera Parushram, District Agricultural Officer, Medak, Dr.G.Shyamsunder Reddy, Senior Scientist & Head, KVK Tuniki, Smt Adilaxmi, ADA, Kowdipally, Medak were attended the programme.

Dr. Md. Latheef Pasha Senior Scientist (Agro) and programme convener of training programme welcomed all the dignitaries on to the dias. He introduced the importance of oil seed cultivation. Dr.M.Goverdhan presided over the programme and explained the scope of oil seeds in integrated farming for lucrative farming, Dr.Arjun Rao, Director Dr.DRNVJIRD, Tuniki suggested the field level workers of AEOs to form the farmer clubs for effective transfer of technology. Sri A. Parushram DAO, Medak expressed their happiness for selecting Medak for imparting training to AEOs and assured for full cooperation from department side for oil seed promotion and Integrated Farming programme. Other dignitaries shared their experiences on oil seed situation and their improvement. Finally inaugural programme concluded with vote of thanks offered by Ch.Pragathi Kumari, Scientist (Agro), AICRP on IFS, Rajendranagar.

Scientists of AICRP on IFS and KVK, Tuniki imparted their expertise to AEOs for two days form 15-03-19 to 16-03-19 on advances in oil seed production technologies, pest and disease management, scope of oil seeds under farming system perspective for lucrative farming, soil and nutrient management in oil seed crops and cropping sequences and benefit cost analysis of oil seed crops. Field visit was arranged to AEOs on oil seed crop component under IFS at Farmers field at Kuchanpally village of Medak district where farmer is cultivating cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruit trees apart from oil seed to meet all requirement from his own farm along with livestock products like milk, meat, eggs, fish products from dairy, poultry, sheep and fishery in the farm pond.

At the end of the day, AEOs expressed their willingness for crop diversification under farming system perspective. DAO Medak, KVK and APT Tuniki offered to initiate oil seeds promotion and IFS unit in collaboration with AICRP on IFS in selected places for technology up scaling at farmer level. AICRP on IFS working at On Farm Research emphasizing to upscale the area of oil seeds in Telangana as they are good source of food to human beings and their good source of food to human beings and their stalks are most valued fodder to live stock besides encashment of the benefits like soil improvement and climate resilience.

The data base of trained AEOs is collected to educate them frequently through telephone and e-communication.