Dimapur, March 19 (MExN): Live webcasting of the Prime Minister’s address to the agriculture scientists, farmers and stakeholders during the Krishi Unnati Mela in New Delhi was jointly organised by KVK Dimapur, KVK Peren, KVK Kiphire, and ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema at Dhansiripar village on March 17 with participation of 120 farmers from Dhansiripar and neighbouring villages. Mhalo Humtsoe, SDO (Civil), Dhansiripar Block, who was the chief guest, stressed the need to change the mindset of the farmers and adopt location specific crop varieties and advanced technologies provided by the KVK to increase crop yield and productivity in the district. She also emphasised on utilizing the Soil Health Card based manures and fertilizer use, according to a press release. The programme was followed by a daylong training cum awareness programme on Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 sponsored by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), New Delhi. Dr. AH Khan, Deputy Registrar, PPV&FRA Regional Office, Guwahati elaborated on the Implementation of PPV&FR Act, 2001, Dr. Ajay Kumar Singh, Plant Variety Examiner, PPV&FRA Regional Office, Guwahati spoke on Registration and Protection of Farmers’ Rights under PPV&FRA, and Dr. Kolom Rabi, ACTO (Plant Breeding) KVK Dimapur spoke on the farmers’ variety registration and its procedures. A total of 7 farmers’ varieties – 6 rice varieties and a Banana variety – were processed for their registration with PPV&FR Authority during the programme and leaflets on PPV&FR Act 2001 translated in Nagamese dialect along with the Registration forms were distributed to the farmers, the release said. Further, with the initiatives of Indrajit Kaman, Joint Director & SRO, Petroleum Conservation Research Association (Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Govt. of India, Guwahati), awareness on petroleum product conservations were given to the farmers through a PowerPoint presentation by Z. James Kikon, In-charge Sr. Scientist and Head, KVK Peren. Leaflets along with banners on importance of fuel conservation in pumpsets, tractors, tips to drivers and the harmful effects of crop residue burning were also distributed.
