Melaghar: A three-day capacity-building programme on “Integrated Farming System for Sustainable Agriculture, Technology Dissemination and Livelihood Improvement” began on August 24, 2026, at the Melaghar Municipal Council Town Hall in Sepahijala district, Tripura.
The programme was organised by the ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region (ICAR-RCER), Patna, under the North Eastern Hill (NEH) Component, in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Sepahijala, under the aegis of the College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University (CAU), Lembucherra.
Programme focuses on sustainable farming
The initiative aims to promote integrated and resource-efficient farming practices among farmers while improving agricultural productivity, income generation and livelihood security.
The programme is being conducted under the guidance of Dr Anup Das, Director, ICAR-RCER, Patna, and Dr Anupam Mishra, Vice-Chancellor, CAU, Imphal. Technical guidance is being provided by Dr Ng. Iboyaima Singh, Director, Directorate of Extension Education, CAU; Dr A. K. Mohanty, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Zone VII, Umiam; and Prof. A. B. Patel, Dean, College of Fisheries, CAU, Lembucherra.
Farmers urged to adopt modern technologies
The inaugural programme was attended by Shri Pradip Baran Roy, President of the All Tripura Farmers’ Club, as the chief guest.
Roy highlighted the role of ICAR and ICAR-RCER in developing and disseminating agricultural technologies, including Integrated Farming System models designed to improve farm productivity, household income and livelihood security.
Addressing participants virtually, Dr Anup Das encouraged farmers to adopt modern agricultural tools, resource-efficient technologies and improved production practices to increase productivity and profitability.
Livestock and digital agriculture highlighted
Dr P. C. Chandran, Principal Scientist, ICAR-RCER, discussed livestock and poultry-based technologies developed by ICAR to improve livestock productivity and provide farmers with an additional source of income.
Dr Rohan Kumar Raman, Senior Scientist, ICAR-RCER, highlighted the growing role of digital agriculture in Integrated Farming System models. He stressed that technology can help farmers use resources more efficiently, reduce wastage and improve overall farm productivity and profitability.
110 farmers participate
A total of 110 farmers from Sepahijala district are participating in the capacity-building programme.
Officials attending the event included Dr Bibhas Kanti De, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare; Ar. Sujit Das, Deputy Director of Horticulture, Bishalgarh; Dr Shatabhisa Sarkar, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK Sepahijala; and Dr Joy Kumar Dey, Subject Matter Specialist (Agronomy), KVK Sepahijala.
Officials from KVK Sepahijala, representatives of government departments and other dignitaries were also present.
Farmers receive fishery, horticulture and vegetable inputs
To support immediate adoption of the technologies demonstrated during the programme, ICAR-RCER distributed agricultural and aquacultural inputs among the participating farmers.
The inputs included:
- 20,000 Indian Major Carp (IMC) fingerlings
- 500 mango seedlings
- 110 packets of cauliflower seeds
- 110 packets of chilli seeds
- 5 kg radish seeds
- 5 kg pumpkin seeds
- 3 kg onion seeds
The distribution is intended to encourage farmers to adopt diversified and integrated farming practices and make more efficient use of available farm resources.
Focus on income and livelihood improvement
The Integrated Farming System approach combines different agricultural activities to maximise the use of farm resources while creating multiple sources of income.
The programme aims to help farmers improve productivity and profitability while strengthening household livelihood security through crop, horticulture, fisheries, livestock and other complementary farming activities.
Programme concludes with vote of thanks
The inaugural programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr Joy Kumar Dey, Subject Matter Specialist, KVK Sepahijala.
He expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, participating farmers, collaborating institutions and officials involved in organising the programme.
