Increasing the Red Gram area - Scientist-Farmers-Interaction Meeting (Kisan Mela-Redgram) at RARS, Palem on 29-06-2024

Regional Agricultural Research Station, Palem has organized a meeting on increasing the redgram area- Farmer-Scientist- Interaction on 29.06.2024 in collaboration with National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF), Hyderabad. As the Chief guest of the programme Dr. K. Rajesh Reddy, Hon’ble Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA, Nagarkurnool) graced the occasion. The session was briefed by Dr. M. Malla Reddy, Associate Director of Research, RARS, Palem, who also educated the farmers about redgarm farming. Dr. S. Vanisri, PS (Oilseeds) discussed the value of pulses, selection of location specific varieties are very important. Dr. T. Prabhakar Reddy, Programme Coordinator, KVK, Palem emphasized thathigh-quality seed is crucial for pulses. KVK undertakes initiatives such as promotion of pulses production and introduction of new redgram varieties in the Nagarkurnool district through CFLDs and other demonstrations. Various awareness programmes have been organized to create awareness among the farming community.Dr. Ch. Barath Bushan, DAATT Center coordinator explained about the sowing window of redgram and best management practices. Shri. Purna Chandra Reddy, ADA, Nagarkurnool addressed gathering about importance of crop rotation, intercropping of redgram with and cotton and others leads to increase the yields of crop. Shri. Ravi Chandra, Branch Manager, NCCF- Hyderabad, explained the status of redgram crop in India and Telangana. He also informed that majority of the redgram is imported from other countries and based on this NCCF is encouraging farmers to cultivate redgram by distributed redgram variety PRG- 176 seed to the farmers on free basis. Shri. Suresh, Channel Partner- Technology, NCCF- New Delhi addressed the gathering importance of pulses and redgram is a profitable crop to the farmers by adopting new technologies increases crop productivity. He also explained aboutmarket intelligence tac tactics with best minimum support price and procedure of farmer’s registrationin NCCF website for marketing of redgram produce. Later a Farmer-Scientist - Interaction was done and farmers raised questions regarding management, quality seed and trade related questions. Dr. K. Rajesh Reddy, Hon’ble Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA, Nagarkurnool) addressed the farmers and good food- good health. For making good food good seed is required. He also suggested farmers to grow the crop according to climate changes, follow the technology and get profits. In this programme, scientists from RARS, KVK and APT, Palem and a total of 750 farmers from Nagarkurnool and Mahabubanagar districts were participated. Finally, the programme was wrapped up with the felicitation of dignitaries followed by Vote of thanks to the gathering.