CAEPHT (CAU) organises awareness visit on Mechanisation of Hill Agriculture

GANGTOK, 02 June: The College of Agricultural Engineering and Post Harvest Technology (CAEPHT), Central Agricultural University (CAU), Ranipool organised an awareness visit-cum-training programme on ‘Mechanisation of Hill Agriculture’ for the trainee farmers of Regional Horticulture Promotion Project, Kalimpong, on 31 May.
Fifteen participants led by Sugimoto Sakuyo and Hanada Hiroyuki of Miyazaki International Volunteer Centre, Kalimpong attended the programme. The visit-cum-training focussed on specific engineering interventions for mechanisation of hill agriculture with reference to terrace cultivation in steep slopes of Eastern Himalayan region of the country, informs a press release.

Dean of the college, Dr. P.C Senapati, inaugurated the programme and welcomed the participants, emphasising on optimal utilisation of input resources for sustained production in hill agriculture. Mechanisation techniques for different agricultural operations, based on utilisation of human, animal and mechanical energy were demonstrated to the participants by the scientists of the College.
Ergonomics and human safety in agricultural operations were explained by Principal Investigator of ESA, Dr. TK Khura. Prospects of effective utilisation of animal energy for cultivation in terraces were discussed highlighting the use of improved equipment by Principal Investigator of UAE, Dr. R. K. Tiwari, the release informs.
Portable, light weight, power tiller with matching equipment for seedbed preparation and intercultural operation, improved tools and equipment for different field operations were demonstrated by Assistant Professor, Er. S. K. Sathpathy. Improved chullas using biomass, cow dung and bio gas were demonstrated by Principal Investigator of RES, Dr. A.K. Mishra.
Associate Professor, Dr. M.S Seveda, explained the utilisation of solar energy for drying, lighting and water heating. The improved technique of growing vegetables and flowers in different types of poly-houses were explained to the farmers by Principal Investigator of APA, Dr. D. Panigrahi while Assistant Professor, AB Sherpa, explained the procedure of soil testing for efficient soil nutrient management in poly houses.
Organic processing of ginger was also explained and demonstrated to the farmers. The extraction of oil from lemon grass and java citronella was explained by Er. S. K. Sathpathy and Er. Prerna Khawas. The participants were explained about the pilot plants for processing of fruits, vegetables and milk, being installed in the college, by in-charge Head, PFE, Dr. S Mishra.
The participants interacted with the expert faculty to learn more about the improved technologies. Project Manager of Miyazaki International Volunteer Centre, Mrs. Sakuyo, in her feedback, expressed for future link up of their programme with the college to gain skills around mechanisation of hill agriculture by sharing / exchange of scientific information, the release mentions.
The visit-cum-training was considered to be a beginning for future vocational / entrepreneurship development programme in the college for the benefit of the unemployed youths of Sikkim, the release further adds.