Training on the use of organic fertilizers

James Turner, Permaculture Specialist from the United States during his address at the inaugural session of the two-day training programme organised by the Agriculture Department, Meghalaya at IATC, Upper Shillong

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, DEC 19: To promote the use of organic fertilizers by the farmers, Meghalaya agriculture department in collaboration with “Billions in Change” on Monday organised a two-day training programme.

The programme aims at introduction of innovative compost making in Meghalaya with programme trainer James Turner, a permaculture specialist from USA, reminded those who attended the traning as to how mankind has been using energy reserves accumulated over millions of years and warned that such reserves, being finite resources eventually, will eventually get exhausted with its continuous usage.

Held at the Integrated Agricultural Training Centre (IATC), Upper Shillong, the inaugural day of the training programme saw the attendance of government officials and functionaries from various departments, including the Agriculture, Community & Rural Development, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary.

In his inaugural speech, Turner also emphasised on the urgent need for introduction of alternative sustainable resources in order to achieve the goal of sustainable development. ”Organic composting is one of the tool from amongst set of tools that would help create a productive system for farmers and the society in general”, he informed.

Agriculture department Commissioner& Secretary PS Kumar meanwhile informed that the motive of the two-day training programme is to provide skill to field officials of agriculture, CR& D department and others so that they can provide handholding support to the farmers at the grass root level with regards to organic composting.

Kumar also said that the cost effective interventions such as these would help promote organic farming in the state.

In the first day of the training programme Turner imparted theoretical know-how on innovative compost making through power point presentation followed by a Q&A interactive session with the participants, while the second day would feature practical exercises on innovative ways of making organic compost.