Dirang, Feb 6: The 14th Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), West Kameng, was held on Friday at the KVK office, Sangti, under the chairmanship of District Agriculture Officer (DAO) Nima Jomba.
The session began with a welcome address by Dr Tasso Tabin, Sr Scientist and Head, KVK West Kameng, who briefed the members on the objectives and importance of the SAC meeting. He highlighted the role of the Scientific Advisory Committee in guiding KVK activities and formulating future programmes for the benefit of the farming community in the district.
In her address, DAO Nima Jomba emphasised the need for strong coordination among agriculture and allied sectors and underlined the significance of SAC meetings in strengthening the role of KVKs at the district level. She stressed that the recommendations of the committee play a vital role in improving technology dissemination and enhancing farmers’ livelihoods.
The technical session was also chaired by the DAO, during which members discussed various ongoing and proposed activities of KVK West Kameng. At the conclusion of the meeting, the SAC approved nine On-Farm Trials (OFTs), including comparative studies on domestication of beekeeping with Apis cerana and Apis mellifera; popularisation of rainbow trout at different altitudes; varietal evaluation of onion (Arka Kalyan and ADR), garlic (Agrifound Parvati G-313 and G-408), apple (Gala), and different millet varieties; reclamation of acidic soil through liming in maize with different treatment doses; and value addition through osmotically dehydrated orange candy and instant ginger candy.
The committee also approved Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) on popularisation of chilli variety Arka Gagan, summer squash (zucchini) and pea variety VL-15. In addition, the SAC recommended training and demonstrations on cultivation of shiitake mushroom using alternative substrates such as sawdust, preservation and promotion of indigenous white rajma varieties whose cultivation area is declining, inclusion of local brinjal in indigenous crop plots, promotion of natural farming practices, and collaboration with NRC on Yak, Dirang, for value addition of yak products.