Scientific advisory committee meeting held

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
ITAGAR, April 12:  Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Papum Pare was organized on April 7 at the training hall of the Kendra with the objective to assess the work achievements of the year, 2016-17 and formulation of Action Plan for the year 2017-18. The achievement report of the Kendra was presented by Tadang Mee, (I/C) Sr Scientist & Head cum SMS (Agronomy) of the Kendra, who briefed on various activities carried out by the Kendra in 2016-17. Annual reports for 2016-17 and Action Plan of 2017-18 were presented by respective Subjects Matter Specialists (SMS) of the concerned disciplines, an official report informed here today.
Dr Taba Heli, Mission Director, State Mithun & Yak Mission suggested conducting need based programme. “In case of activity of high fincial involvement, number of programmes may be reduced but it should be an impact driven one. Large scale seedlings production, especially King Chilli may be done for revenue generation”, he said and laid emphasis on feeding and housing of animals and encouraging production of locally available fodder.
Nini Pertin, Joint Director & KVK State Nodal Officer, Directorate of Agriculture, harlagun informed that Aruchal Pradesh is soon to be declared as organic state, hence organic farming is to be popularized among the farmers. Citing that plant protection aspect suffers in organic farming due to scarcity of organic inputs in regard to pest and disease control, Pertin suggested including fruit trees like papaya, besides pineapple, orange, ba in OFT/FLD programme of the Kendra. 
“In fishery sector, pond magement, feeding magement is suggested. Prawn culture may be encouraged in addition to fish production in the district”, he said.
Dr Jagat C Borah, Principal Scientist, North East Institute of Science & Technology (NEIST) suggested that known variety of crops should be used under OFT and FLD Programme. In regard to mushroom production, he suggested collaborative programme formulation in production and extending technical know-how to farmers and also pressed for value addition of orange peel by making orange peel powder, including alysing its nutritive value and patenting it, the report added