Gonda: A five-day employment-oriented training programme on paddy seed production technology concluded at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Mankapur, Gonda, which functions under Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya.
Addressing the valedictory session, Dr. S.K. Verma, Senior Scientist and Head of KVK Mankapur, encouraged participants to take up paddy seed production as a viable enterprise and source of livelihood. He said that trained farmers and rural youth could achieve self-reliance by adopting scientific seed production practices and meeting the growing demand for quality paddy seeds.
Training coordinator Dr. Ram Lakhan Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy), provided detailed information on scientific paddy seed production techniques. He highlighted that Gonda district has a significant demand for certified paddy seed and emphasized the importance of maintaining isolation distance, roguing, weed management and crop protection measures to ensure seed quality.
Dr. Singh informed participants that farmers can undertake certified seed production after registering with the Uttar Pradesh Seed Certification Agency. He noted that an isolation distance of three metres is mandatory for paddy seed production and explained the various categories and standards of quality seed.
During the training programme, experts from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra delivered technical sessions on various aspects of paddy cultivation and seed production. Dr. Ajit Singh Vats, Senior Scientist (Crop Protection), discussed seed cleaning, seed treatment and integrated pest management practices. Dr. D.K. Srivastava elaborated on the use and importance of organic manures, while Dr. Manoj Kumar Singh provided guidance on irrigation management in paddy cultivation.
Participants also received training on soil testing and nutrient management from Dr. Hanuman Prasad Pandey, quality seed marketing from Dr. Gyandeep Gupta, and land preparation and crop residue management from Dr. Dinesh Kumar Pandey.
Several farmers and trainees, including Vinay Kumar Singh, Vimal Kumar Pandey, Rajesh Kumar Verma, Ramsagar Verma, Shiv Prasad Yadav, and Arun Yadav, actively participated in the programme and gained practical knowledge on paddy seed production technology.
At the conclusion of the training, participants were provided with papaya saplings produced by the centre free of cost, encouraging them to adopt diversified and sustainable agricultural practices.
Officials said the programme was aimed at promoting entrepreneurship in agriculture, enhancing farmers’ income and strengthening the availability of quality seeds in the region through scientific cultivation and seed production techniques.
