Port Blair, Oct. 19: Farmer’s field day on “High Yielding Long Duration Rice Varieties” was organized by the Field Crop Division and Krishi Vigyan Kendra of Central Agricultural Research Institute at Bloomsdale Farm, Chouldari on 17th October, 2012. The programme was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dr. S. Dam Roy, Director, CARI wherein he briefed the gathering about the rice research activities going on in CARI and importance of the high yielding rice varieties for increasing the production and productivity of the area. 

The guest of honour Shri Subhash Dey, Pradhan, Gram Panchayat, Chouldari, South Andaman, requested the farmers for adoption of new high yielding varieties and latest technologies for increasing rice production in the islands.

Dr. P.K Singh explained about the farmers’ participatory variety selection method for selection of the best rice varieties. The discussion about pest management by Dr. Ajanta Birah, disease management by Dr. Naresh Kumar, importance of high yielding rice varieties by Dr. A. K. Singh and tips for rice crop management by Shri L. B. Singh, KVK was also done. 

Farmers shared their experiences during the interaction and practical observation of the best traits of 22 rice varieties in the fields. Altogether 51 farmers (22 male and 29 female) participated in the program.