ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura Centre organized a one-day state level workshop on “Strategic Roadmap for Strengthening the Seed Sector in Tripura” on Thursday.
It was attended by more than 40 participants comprising, officers from state Agriculture department, scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, FPO members and the progressive farmers from Dhalai, Gomati, Khowai, North Tripura, Sepahijala, South Tripura, Unakoti and West Tripura.
Dr. Uttam Saha, Joint Director, Research Station SARS was present as the chief guest. He highlighted the pathway for strengthening the seed sector in Tripura.
He emphasized involvement of FPOs rather than individual framers for producing the certified seeds on the larger scale.
On the occasion, Dr. Atanu Pal, Chief Seed Certification Officer, State Agriculture Department, Agartala was invited as a special guest to deliver the detailed procedure for the seed certification process.
He provided the key details regarding filing the application form, different stages of seed certification, maintaining the required isolation details, application of recommended dose of fertilizers and roughing of off type plants.
Guest of honour, Dr. Arun Bhai Patel, Dean College of Fisheries, Tripura and Special Guest Dr. Debashish Sen, College of Agriculture Tripura highlighted the importance of quality seeds and seed chain for bringing the overall developments of farmers through generation of additional income through certified seeds.
The workshop coordinators Dr. Ayam Gangarani Devi, Senior Scientist (Plant Physiology) and Dr. Rahul Kumar, Scientist (Plant Breeding) mentioned the role and contribution of ICAR Tripura Centre in varietal development and its popularization in seed chain through KVKs, FPOs and State Agriculture Department, Tripura.
Panel discussions among the different stakeholders viz. KVK officials, FPOs members and progressive were conducted to know the grassroots problems faced by them in producing the quality seeds which was addressed by the experts of the panel. Dr. Burhan Uddin Choudhury, Head, ICAR-RC-NEHR, Tripura mentioned that four major varieties of rice developed at this centre viz. Gomati Dhan, Tripura Hakuchuk-2, Tripura Nirog and Tripura Chikan Dhan constitute more than 73% of the total breeder seed indent from the Government of Tripura and widely cultivated in the state
He also informed that Centre has developed four new rice varieties namely NICRA Aerobic Rice 1, NICRA Aerobic Rice 2, NICRA Hill Rice and NICRA Boro rice. NICRA Aerobic Rice 1 and NICRA Boro Rice has very high yield potential (6.3-6.4 t/ha) which can perform well in water stress conditions.
He requested the progressive farmers and FPOs for the adoption of these high yielding newly released varieties and their quality seed productions. The program concluded with a mutual understanding and collaboration between ICAR Tripura Centre and State Agriculture Department, Tripura for setting up the network in order to produce quality seeds and its procurement.
This workshop is expected to ensure a good network of progressive farmers and FPOs with the ICAR Tripura Centre, State Agriculture Department and KVKs which will facilitate to produce the quality seeds (certified seeds) and generate the additional income.
