Goa's Pandurang Patil bags the IARI Innovative Farmer Award 2022

Bringing in cheer to the state, Pandurang Patil of Goa bagged the IARI Innovative Farmer Award for his innovative farming techniques at the Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela 2022 in New Delhi. Instead of spraying the Bordo mixture directly on the areca nut crop, Patil escalated his crop productivity by 50% by simply spraying the fungicide directly on the ground. Read on to know more about this strategy and the IARI awards for agricultural excellence.

A technique to counter lack of skilled labours

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Notably, the areca nut is one of the most widely planted crops in Goa. Applying fungicide on the bunches of these nuts is a must during monsoons, however, the spraying can be done only on sunny days and it must remain dry for at least three hours post spraying. According to Patil, this procedure needs skilled labour and in times like this when there is a lack of such labours, spraying the fungicide directly on the ground is more convenient for the farmers.

By deploying the strategy devised by Patil, other farmers also increased their crop productivity resulting in a successful harvest in the state. Additionally, Pandurang was also conferred for other techniques including the domestic cashew nut roaster and areca nut drier. The former is a self-rotating device that ensures that each side of the seed receives enough heat whereas the latter is drier that dewaters the nuts and keeps a check on moisture intrusion thereby preventing them from germinating.

36 farmers honoured at the Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela 2022

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In an attempt to promote and nurture talents behind the grassroots technology the authorities honour innovative farmers from all across the country, every year. In this valedictory session, 36 farmers were conferred with this honour at the Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela 2022 in New Delhi.

Organised by IARI from March 9 to March 11, the theme of this year's fair was 'Self-reliant farmer with technical knowledge'. As per the press release by the PIB, 40,000 farmers from all across the country were benefitted from this 3-day session.