Field day-cum-Rice IPM Awareness Programe organized
A field day-cum-Rice IPM Awareness Programe was organized by ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack in Vellora village, Basta Block in Balasore district on 7th December 2018. The purpose was to showcase the productivity potential and profitability of NRRI technologies plant protection and soil health management technologies demonstrated and to interact with them regarding the issues in rice farming. The areas are prone to flood and stagnant water situation which are the potential area for rice cultivation. The programme started with the field visit of staff of state agricultural department, farmers, scientists of the institute and Krishi Vigyan Kendra of the district followed by and interaction session on Rice IPM Awareness Programme.
 Dr S D Mohapatra Principal Scientist & PIof the project addressing the gathering |
 A glimpse of Farmersaudience on Field Day |
Dr. S. D Mohapatra. Principal Scientist (Entomology) & Principal Investigator of the NRRI-NCIPM Collaborative Project welcomed all the dignitaries, farmers and briefed about the on-going activities of the project and explained about the importance of the field day and the IPM technologies demonstrated in semi-deep-water rice ecology. He emphasized the balanced use of fertilizer particularly nitrogenous fertilizer as excess use of this fertilizer may flare up the incidence of stem borer, leaf folder and brown plant hopper and diseases like bacterial blight, brown spot in rice. Dr. B S Satapathy, Scientist (Agronomy) of the institute low-cost weed management in rice and Ms. G Prasanthi, Scientist (Entomology) informed the tips of safe use of chemical pesticides by the farmers. Shri Y D Sethi, Assistant Agriculture Officer of the block explained about the schemes of Department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment, Government of Odisha for the rice growers.
 A farmer narrating the performanceof the field demonstration |
 Field Day organized at Velloravillage (Balasore district) |
During the programme, farmers interacted with the scientists and clarified their queries. Mr. Manoj Ku Jena, Scientist (Soil Science) explained the role played by the KVK for the betterment of farming community. In replying to the query of farmers, he advised to the farmers to use copper oxychloride to manage blue algae in rice field. Apart from scientists of ICAR-NRRI, KVK staff, Sarpanch of Vellora and Santoshpur Gram Panchayat, Samiti Members, around 80 farmers including two VAWs participated in the field day-cum-Rice IPM Awareness Programme. Supporting literature “Varshadhan” in vernacular language was provided to the farmers.
The visitors realized the potentials of the IPM technologies demonstrated in semi-deep-water ecology through observations and interactions with the farmers and appreciated the initiative of demonstrating the IPM technologies in farmers’ field. They assured that they will have continuous contact with ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack for adoption of improved rice production technologies. They also desired that such programmes need to be organized regularly. The meeting was ended by vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Ekamra Kanan Padhan, Technical Assistant.