BISWANATH CHARIALI, Jan 20 ? The Gramin Krishi Unnayan Prakalpa launched by the Assam Branch of Indian Tea Association (ABITA) throughout the State has yielded good results in the current agricultural season. Through the project, the ABITA familiarised the farmers with modern and scientific methods of cultivation as also with the multiple cropping system.
The project was initiated in 2000 at Panery in Mangaldoi circle of ABITA. When it met with resounding success, its activities were extended and more centres were set up at Biswanath Chariali, Balipara, Mazbat, Koliabor, Bokakhat, Namrup, Moran and Chabua. According to ABITA sources, 9,000 farmers falling under 841 villages had availed the opportunities of modern cultivation methods provided by the association in the past three years. ABITA?s agricultural development experts and field workers arranged for soil-testing programmes, group discussions with farmers, training on multiple cropping system and practical demonstrations.
Motivated by the trainings, large number of farmers had shifted from conventional crops pattern to high yielding varieties of rice like Ranjit, Pankaj, Bahadur, Swarnamahsuri and Sali which doubled the output this year, the sources said. Besides, 1,290 farmers of 19 villages had produced high-yielding varieties of mustard, pea, lentil, cabbage, couliflower, brinjal and tomato in 66 hectares of land in the current season wherein the production was five times more than the last season, the sources said, adding that the Biswanath Chariali centre has been shifted to Gohpur, the Balipara centre to Lakhimpur, Mazbat centre to Dhekiajuli, Panery centre to Tangla, Kaliabor centre to Margherita, Bokakhat centre to Titabor and the Namrup centre to Doomdooma as part of the extension programme.
Ven. Sanghasana Bhikkhu, founder president of Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, Leh-Ladakh described the occasion as an auspicious one and requested all to contribute towards the institution. Ven. Ananda, secretary of Mahabodhi Society, Bangalore outlined the aims, objectives and functioning of the school. He also assured all help from the society.
Earlier, the Buddha Flag, School Flag and National Flag were unfurled by Ven. Narinda Bhikkhu, president All Arunachal Pradesh Bhikkhu Sangha, Ven. Sanghasana Bhikkhu and C.C. Singpho, Minister, IPR & P. The Buddha Calendar was also unveiled by K.G. Singpho, ex-MLA. The function was addressed among others by Ven. Narina Bhikkhu, Ven. Panyarakkhita and Ven. Sangharakkhita. While the function was presided over by SDO Miao, R.K. Sharma, the secretary general of Singpho Development Society, Psi Jowlai Singpho offered the vote of thanks. Dhamma Desana, video show and prayers were other highlights of the function.