Recent News and Events
Published By: Admin on: 2013-07-04
A seven days’ regional level training on value chain commodities off-season vegetables, apple, vegetable seeds and goat for local NGOs and frontline extension workers was conducted by High Value Agriculture Project in Hill and Mountain Areas (HVAP) in Jumla. The training was organised at the Horticulture Research Station in Rajikot, Jumla from 14-20 June 2013. The training was successful in refreshing and updating the technical knowledge of the participants from Kalikot and Jumla districts including NGO staff, social mobilisers, Junior Technician/Junior Technical Assistants (JT/JTAs).
The training participants were instructed on the techniques of vegetable nursery raising, technological packaging of off-season vegetables (tomato and broad leaf mustard), identifying and managing major insect pests and diseases of vegetable crops, knowing different factors responsible for post-harvest loss in fresh vegetables, and knowing importance and technique of grading and packaging fresh vegetables.
Likewise in vegetable seeds value chain, the participants learnt general principles and practices of vegetable seed production, technical packaging of vegetable seed production (of radish, broad leaf mustard, carrot and coriander) and post-harvest handling of vegetable seeds, knowing about the different vegetable seed standards, sample taking of vegetable seeds, testing of seed vigour, identifying and managing the major insect pests and diseases of vegetable seeds, and inspecting the vegetable seed field and rouging out the off-type.
In goat value chain, the participants were instructed on identifying different breeds of goat, knowing about improved goat-shed and its management, identifying major fodder tree and grasses for goat. They also learnt about growing fodder trees and grasses and preparing balance diet, mineral blocks, and tatno, and identifying and managing the major parasites and diseases of goat.
Similarly in apple value chain, the participants were taught on the basic technical information on apple varieties, rootstocks, growth stages and relevant orchard management activities. They were also oriented on pruning techniques, Bordeaux mixture and Bordeaux paste preparation, and organic manure preparation. Likewise, they also learnt the techniques of identifying maturity stage and correct method of harvesting apples and the importance of grading and packaging. They were also oriented on different tools, equipment and materials used in determining maturity indices, harvesting, grading and packaging of apples, and basic principles of cellar storage. After the training, they were also able to identify and manage the major diseases and insect pests of apple.
The training module was prepared in consultation with District Agricultural Development Office (DADO) and District Livestock Services Office (DLSO) Jumla and Kalikot. It is expected that after the training the field level staff, JT/JTAs and social mobilisers will be able to deliver the technical services related to various aspects of production and postharvest of the targeted commodities.