ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur Conducts ‘Capacity Development Programme on Adoption of Good Agriculture Practices (GAP)’ for Citrus Farmers of Chhindwara, MP

A two-day training program was organized by ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute (CCRI), Nagpur from March 12th to 13th, 2024 in the institute for citrus growers of Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh. Thirty-five trainees participated from Sausar, Pandhurna, and Mohkhed blocks of the Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh.

Empowering Citrus Farmers through APEDA-Sponsored Training Program

The training program was organised under the APEDA-sponsored project ‘Capacity Development Programme on Adoption of Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) for Citrus Farmers.’ Dr. Dilip Ghosh, Director, ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur was present in the program as Chief Guest who presented the overall situation of citrus industry in India to trainee farmers and highlighted the importance of selection of land, rootstock and planting materials for citrus cultivation.

Insights from Industry Experts and Technical Sessions

Dr. Ghosh encouraged the farmers to adopt the scientific package of practices for citrus cultivation and procure planting materials only from certified nurseries. Poonam Kapoor, Regional Head (APEDA), Bhopal, briefed about the APEDA schemes for citrus exporters. In the technical sessions, scientists from ICAR-CCRI guided farmers on various important aspects of citrus cultivation.

Dr. R.K. Sonkar guided farmers on Citrus Orchard Establishment and Management, Dr. A.K. Das dealt in detail with the aspect of Disease management of Citrus, Dr. N.M. Meshram guided farmers about the control measures of various insect pests which attack citrus crops, Dr. Sangeeta Bhattacharyya made farmers aware of Citrus Decline and the related Rejuvenation Technologies while Dr. S.S Roy briefed them about the Post Harvest Management technologies of citrus.

CCRI Technical Bulletins on “Nagpuri Santra ki Unnat Baghbani” and “Pocket Diary of Citrus Diseases and Insect Pests” were distributed to farmers. The program ended with field visit to ICAR-CCRI nurseries and experimental plots conducted by Bipin Mahalle.

Riya Thakur and Dr. R.K Jhade from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Chhindwara coordinated the tour of the farmers. Dr. Sangeeta Bhattacharyya, Dr. S.S Roy and Dr. Darshan Kadam were training coordinators from ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur.