Observation of “18th Parthenium Awareness Week” at ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack from 16-22 August, 2023
As per necessary instruction from Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR, New Delhi and request from Director, ICAR-Directorate of Weed Research, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack along with its Regional Station at Hazaribag (Jharkhand) organized 18th Parthenium Awareness Week- 2023 during 16-22 August 2023 to apprise the harmful effects of Parthenium hysterophorus (Carrot weed/congress grass/gajar ghas) and its management. A wide array of activities was conducted to spread maximum awareness among the staff members in order to keep the the Institute campus Parthenium free under the national major activity of “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”. In the inaugural programme organized on 16th August, 2023, Dr. S Lenka, Chairman, Institute Swachha Bharat committee briefed about the weeklong activities that were to be carried out during 16-22 August 2023. During the Parthenium awareness week, Dr. Raghavendra Goud, Scientist (Agronomy) delivered lecture on the topic “Introduction, identification, harmful effects & cultural, herbicides management of Parthenium” and Dr. Basana Gowda G, Scientist (Agril. Entomology) delivered another lecture on the topic “Management of Parthenium weed by use of biocontrol agents”. Dr. M J Baig, Director (I/c) deliberated on the harmful effects of Parthenium and stressed the need to manage this weed in an integrated mode i.e., through mechanical, cultural and biocontrol methods. Swachhata cleaning drive for removal of Parthenium weeds was carried out in the premises of ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack on 17.08.2023, 18.08.2021, 21.08.2021 and 22.08.2023 with active involvement of staff, students, Project staff, out sourcing staff, Swachha Bharat Committee members of the Institute to make the campus Parthenium free.
The Regional Station of the Institute, CRURRS, Hazaribag (Jharkhand) also organized different activities during the period and significant activities were “Awareness, Parthenium uprooting” in SCSP village Charhi, Hazaribagh; Gosthi on “Harmful effects of Parthenium & its managemet” in TSP adopted villages Gagari, Arakeam, Ranchi; Krushak Gosthi on “Harmful effects of Parthenium & its managemet” in SCRTC, Demotand, Hazaribagh and “Awareness & Parthenium uprooting” in the premises of this Regional Centre with the active involvement of Dr. N.P.Mandal, I/c, CRURRS; Dr. S.M.Prasad, PS (Agronomy), other scientists, staff including contractual workers, Project staff, students.
KVK, Cuttack also organized an awareness campaign on Parthenium Awareness Week from 16-22 August, 2023, in different villages, schools and its campus covering about 355 school children, 55 extension officials and 48 women self-help group members from Cuttack district. Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) known popularly as Gajar ghas or Congress grass or Famine weed due to its resemblance to carrot plant and its dominance character as a ubiquitous invasive weed. The organizer of the event, Dr. Ranjan Kumar Mohanta, SMS (Animal Science) described its ill effect on human being and livestock.
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