Seed Mela and Farmers - Scientists interaction meeting was organised by ARS, APT & DAATTC, Tornala on 24.05.2023

Seed mela along with Farmers Scientist Interaction has been organised at Agricultural Polytechnic premises, Tornala on 24th May, 2023 by ARS, APT & DAATTC, Tornala. The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Dr. S. Sridevi, Principal Scientist & Head, ARS, Tornala. Sri Muzammil Khan, Additional Collector, Siddipet District attended the Programme as Chief Guest and Inaugurated and visited the Exhibition Stalls. The Programme started with Lighting of Lamp followed by Invocation of University Song. In her opening remarks Dr S. Sridevi, Principal Scientist & Head, ARS, Tornala briefed the farmer participants about the objectives of the meeting, different varieties of rice (JGL-24423; KNM-118, KNM-1638, WGL-962, WGL-44) and redgram (WRGE-97) along with characteristics. She briefed about different technologies developed and status of present research at ARS, Tornala along with varieties developed by the University. Finally, urged the farmers to interact on all technical matters to identify the priority issues. Sri Muzammil Khan, Additional Collector, Siddipet District addressed the gathering by congratulating the Scientists of Tornala, PJTSAU for organizing such an event, asked the farmers to take full benefit of the technologies and varieties developed by the University. Also asked the farmers to adopt sustainable agriculture and green revolution 2.0 to overcome the present climate change conditions and soil conservation by doubling the farmers income through mechanisation in all crops especially to small and marginal farmers. He interacted with APT students and encouraged to perceive higher degrees in agriculture for serving the farming community. Pamphlets on Telangana lo Vanakalam saaguku anuvaina vari rakaalu, Busara samrakshana koraku pachirotta saagu, Telangana lo saagu anuvaina thruna dhanyalu were also released on this occasion. District Agriculture Officer, Siddipet Sri. K. Shiva Kumar requested to grow green manure crops and also informed the house regarding availability of the seed on subsidy for farmers. Further requested farmers to adopt crop rotation and also soil test based fertilizer application for higher yields and urged for adoption of water saving technologies in various crops for natural resource conservation. District Agriculture Officer, Medak representative Rajnarayana explained the quality seed and its availability at the nearest to the farmers by the ARS, Tornala. Sri. V. Nagi Reddy, District RSS Coordinator requested the scientists and agriculture department to conduct the training programmes on stem borer in paddy and also encourage for soil sampling among farmers by creating awareness. Later, farmer V. Ramraj Reddy from Bussapur shared his experience on cultivation of various crops. Major topics of current issues like Wet Direct Seeded Rice, Weed management in various crops, importance of millets, mechanization in different crops, stem borer in paddy, soil testing, Judicious use of fertilizers etc., along with the queries raised by the farmers were covered by the respective Scientists. Later, Dr. E. Uma Rani explained about best management practices for transplanted and direct sown rice, Smt. A. Saritha on management practices for maize and minor millets, Dr. N. Sainath on importance of green manures and their cultivation practices, Dr. D. Swetha on Management practices for redgram, green gram and blackgram cultivation, Dr. Ch. Pallavi on contingent crop planning for Siddipet district. In Seed mela, Agricultural Research Station, Tornala displayed two crops viz., rice (JGL-24423; KNM-118, KNM-1638, WGL-962, WGL-44) and redgram (WRGE-97) for sale. While APT, Tornala displayed ragi seed and Agricultural College, Siricilla students displayed vermicompost and sesbania seed for sale in stalls. In total, 264 people participated in the Seed Mela which includes all the scientists from ARS, APT and DAATTC and about 82 officials from Agril and line departments, 45 students from APT, Tornala and Agricultural College, Siricilla and about 127 farmers from all over the Siddipet and Medak districts. Rice and redgram seed worth of Rs. 3,93,310/- was disposed during seed mela. JGL-24423 was sold in more quantities. Farmers expressed satisfaction over the proceeding or conduct of Farmers Scientists interaction/ Seed Mela prior to the season well in advance. The meeting ended with formal felicitation to innovative farmers Sri Raji Reddy and Smt K. Swapna in the district who are adopting & promoting University technologies and promoting innovations in their farming.