News and Events

Demonstration cum Awareness Programme on Offseason Cultivation of King Chilli at Lumdiengngan Village under TSP

        A field demonstration cum awareness program on “Offseason cultivation of King Chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) under low cost polyhouse’ was conducted in Lumdiengngan village, Ribhoi District, Meghalaya under Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) on 2nd August, 2024. The program was organised with the objective to disseminate technical knowhow on scientific method of offseason cultivation of king chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) under low cost polyhouse. Four dedicated women farmers of the village were selected on the basis of their land resources and interests. Through survey and discussion it was known that the farmers in the village generally cultivate the main season crop of king chilli i.e., Spring Summer (March-April) which fetches them lesser market price however, they have no proper knowledge and experience of cultivating offseason crop i.e., Autumn-Winter (Aug-Sept.). The off season cultivation of king chilli can offer farmers better net return per unit area as supply will be low and prices higher during this period. Therefore, these selected farmers were given both theoretical and hands-on training and demonstration of scientific method of offseason cultivation starting from nursery raising, layout, interculture operation, proper management and handling of protected structure etc. The beneficiaries were also familiarised and demonstrated with the low cost Manual Vegetable Transplanter designed and developed by ICAR Research Complex NEH Region, Umiam. The beneficiaries appreciated the efforts of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region for conducting such programme and introducing them to new technologies in the village. The beneficiaries were distributed with inputs such as king chilli seedlings (500 nos.), shade net, cladding material, bamboo etc. The beneficiaries were enthusiastic to adopt the new technology and were hopeful that it will improve their livelihood. The program was coordinated by Dr. M. Bilashini, Dr. H.D. Talang, Dr H. Jiten Singh, DR H. Rymbai, Dr. R. Teja, and Dr. V.K. Verma.