ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (ICAR-CRIDA) organized five-days skill development Programme for Farmers on “Emerging Rainfed Technologies for Sustainable Livelihood” during 12-16th February, 2024 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad under SC Sub-Plan. The training programme was inaugurated on 12th February, 2024.

The Chief Guest Dr. V. K. Singh, Director, ICAR-CRIDA in his inaugural speech, highlighted the emerging rainfed technologies. He also stressed the need to have skill development programs and the importance of group-based approaches for improving the income of farmers.

The programme covered various aspects including post-harvest management and value addition in crops, in-situ moisture conservation and supplemental irrigation for water management, farm mechanization, drone application in agriculture, integrated pest management, kitchen gardening, rainwater management.

The programme also included exposure visit to Millet Processing & Incubation Center (MPIC), PJTSAU; National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM); National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and National Research Centre (NRC) on Meat.

Valedictory session of training programme was held on 16th February, 2024. Dr. T. V. Prasad, Nodal Officer, SCSP presented brief report of the training programme. Dr. M. S. Rao, Head Division of Crop Science (DCS), ICAR-CRIDA, Chief Guest for the valedictory session urged the farmers to adopt latest technologies to improve the farm income. During the session, the Chief Guest has distributed the certificates, Nutri Millet Kits and vegetable seed kits for the participants.

Twenty SC farmers from three villages namely Mallampet, Kotapalle and Edagatta, Kotapally Mandal, Mancherial District of Telangana State attended the training programme.The programme was coordinated by a team of CRIDA scientists consisting Dr. C.N. Anshida Beevi (Course Director), Dr. Rejani, Dr. G. Venkatesh, Dr. A. G. K. Reddy and Dr. Savitha Santosh (Co-course Directors).