Prayagraj, Nov 01 (HS): A six-day training

program for farmers on Pulses, Oilseeds, and Seed

Production—sponsored by 'ATMA' (Agricultural Technology Management

Agency), Nalanda, under the Department of Agriculture, Government of Bihar—was

held at SHUATS. The program was jointly organized by the Directorate of

Extension, the Directorate of Research, and the Department of Genetics and

Plant Breeding (which houses the notified State Seed Testing Laboratory). A

total of 27 farmers from Bihar participated in the event.

The program was coordinated by

Associate Professor Dr. Prashant Kumar Rai. Director of Research Dr. S. D.

McCarthey and Head of the Department Professor Dr. V. P. Shahi were present on

the occasion.

Dr. S. D. McCarthey emphasized the

importance of scientific knowledge, advanced agricultural techniques, and the

production of quality seeds for enhancing crop productivity and increasing

farmers' income. Dr. V. P. Shahi highlighted the significance of using quality

seeds, improved crop varieties, scientific crop management, and timely plant

protection measures in the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds.

Throughout the six-day program,

experts from various fields delivered lectures, conducted demonstrations, and

held practical sessions covering different aspects of pulses, oilseeds, and

seed production. Dr. Prashant Kumar Rai delivered lectures on scientific seed

production techniques and the 'Seed Act'. Technical insights were also provided

by seed technologists Dr. Bazil, Dr. Sunil Zakaria, Dr. Shilpa Rana, Dr. Deepak

Lal, Dr. Prateek Kumar, Munish Kumar, and Dr. Shashi Tiwari (Avinash Singh).

The farmers were also taken on

practical visits to the 'Seed Processing Unit', the plant pathology facility,

and the State Seed Testing Laboratory.

The program also included lectures by other experts and interactive

sessions, which provided farmers with a comprehensive understanding of

scientific agricultural practices, quality seed production, crop protection,

and modern technologies.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi