NICRA Project launched in West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya on 4^th August 2015

NICRA project is being expanded to 21 new districts in the XII plan. The technology demonstration component of the project will be implemented in Umjalasiaw Village of Thadlaskein Block, Jaintia hills district, Meghalaya. Smt. D. Syiemiong, Director of Agriculture, Meghalayainaugurated the project activities in the village. She said that NICRA project is timely in the face of increasing climate variability faced by farmers in West Jaintia Hills. The adopted village is located in the rain shadow area and crop production, especially in the winter months, is adversely affected.

Dr S.V. Ngachan, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region encouraged the farmers gathering at the launch to take up integrated farming and also adopt vertical farming that will help productive utilization of the land. Dr. A.K. Tripathi, Zonal Project Director (i/c), ZPD, Zone, III explained the objectives of the NICRA Project and implementation of climate resilient interventions under four modules of the project i.e., natural resource management, crop production, livestock & fisheries, and community involvement. About 150 farmers, women and children of the village participated in the project launch program.

Shri. N S Nongbri, Joint Director of Agriculture (R&T) cum State Nodal Officer KVK, Shillong, Officers of ICAR, Umiam, Officers and Staff of KVK Jaintia Hills and others. The programme was chaired by Shri. M. J. Syngkon, PC KVK Jaintia hills. Intervention details were explained to the farmers of the village by Smt R. Lyngdoh, SMS (Agronomy), and Smt. B. Bharbamon, SMS (Horticulture).

A bulletin on NICRA was released by the Director of Agriculture, Meghalaya. An exhibition was also organized to display the KVK activities. The program ended with the vote of thanks by Shri. M. Kharbuli, Farm Manager.

(Submitted by NICRA KVK, Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya)