Field Day on Greengram and Blackgram seed production fields cum Scientist and Farmers interaction Programme at Ganeshwaram on 11.03.2024

Agricultural Research Station, Madhira organized Field Day on seed production of Greengram and Blackgram cum Scientist Farmer interaction meeting on 11.03.2024 at Ganeshwaram Village, Raghunadhapalem mandal, Khammam district under the chairmanship of Dr. P. Raghu Rami Reddy, Director of Research, PJTSAU. Foundation seed production of Greengram (MGG-295, MGG-347, MGG-351 and MGG-385) and Blackgram (MBG-1070 and PU-31) varieties were being takenup in Cotton fallows during Summer 2024 in 150 acres on outsourcing basis in different mandals of Khammam district. During interaction meeting with farmers, Director of Research appreciated the efforts made by seed production farmers in getting higher yields and also addressed the importance of pulses in the present scenario to raise awareness and recognize the contribution of pulses to sustainable food systems and healthy food cycle. He further said that the nitrogen-fixing properties of pulses improve soil fertility which increases the productivity and fertility of the fields and also by intercropping Greengram and Blackgram with other crops (Cotton, Redgram and Maize) farmers will get good yields as well as returns within short period of time. Furthermore, pulses can contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing dependence on the synthetic fertilizers used to introduce nitrogen artificially into the soil. Dr.K.Rukmini Devi, Principal Scientist (Pulses) & Head, ARS, Madhira discussed about released varieties of Greengram and Blackgram by PJTSAU, importance of quality seed production activities done on outsourcing basis in different villages of Khammam district by Agricultural Research Station, Madhira for increasing the production and productivity of pulse crops and better management practices to be adopted for enhancing the yield levels. Sri A.Srinivsa Rao, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Khammam (urban) praised the seed production farmers for getting higher yields with good management practices. Dr.S.Malathi, Programme Coordinator, KVK, Malyal discussed about the important pest and disease management practices in pulses. Later, seed production farmers shared their experiences in cultivating Greengram and Blackgram by maintaining good plant stand per acre, method of sowing by using seed drill and foliar sprays along with plant protection measures followed in seed production fields of Greengram and Blackgram. Later field visit was made in different seed production villages like Ganeshwaram, Bodiyathanda, Baswapuram and Krishnapuram of Khammam district. Farmers were undertaking seed production activities in PJTSAU released varieties of Greengram and Blackgram, they are producing good quality seed that helps in spreading of popular varieties (MGG-295, MGG-347, MGG-351, MGG-385 and MBG-1070) in Telangana and neighboring states. In this programme, Dr. P. Raghu Rami Reddy, Director of Research, PJTSAU, Dr.K.Rukmini Devi, Principal Scientist (Pulses) & Head, ARS, Madhira, Dr.S.Malathi, Programme Coordinator, KVK, Malyal, Dr.B.Dileep Kumar, Coordinator, DAATTC, Warangal, Dr.Nagabhushanam, Principal Scientist (Agronomy), Dr.V.Laxmi Narayanamma, Programme Coordinator, KVK, Bhadradri kothagudem, Dr.K.Ravi Kumar, Programme Coordinator, KVK, Wyra, Dr.N.Sandhya Kishore, Scientist (Breeding), RARS, Warangal, Dr.R.Srinivasa Rao, SMS(Crop Production), Dr.N.Kishore Kumar, Scientist (Extension), Dr.Madhu, Scientist (Agronomy), Dr.T.Bharath, Scientist (Agronomy), Dr.Viswateja, Scientist (Extension), Smt K.Nagaswathi, Scientist (Entomology), Sri.A.Srinivasa Rao (ADA, Khammam Urban), Sri. Bhaskar Rao (Agricultural Officer), Agricultural Extension Officers and fifty farmers have attended this programme.