A capacity building programme on “cultivation and propagation of marigold flower crop of IIHR varieties” was conducted at Model Floriculture Farm of state Department of Horticulture at Nagarur on 09.03.2022. The programme was organized under RKVY project entitled ““Dissemination of Horticultural production technologies through extension approach for enhancing livelihood of farming community”. The purpose of training programme was to provide “hands-on-experience” regarding cultivation and propagation of marigold crop varieties of IIHR Viz., Arka Bangara, Arka Bangara 2 and Arka Agni to farmers, Nagarur farm staff, Horticulture Officers, Assistant Horticulture Officers and Horticultural Assistants of Karnataka State Horticulture Department, Bangalore Rural District. Mr. Atheequlla G. A, Scientist, Division of Social Sciences and Training, ICAR-IIHR delivered the welcome address. Dr. BNS Murthy, Director, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru in his presidential speech appreciated the efforts done in the farm. He mentioned the importance of timely availability and quality of planting material to the farmers and nurseries like these can play a pivotal role in this sector. He suggested adopting ‘seed village concept’ in collaboration with ICAR-IIHR for supply of quality planting material to farmers that can also enable revenue generation to the state department farms.
Mr. H. S. Shivakumar, Additional Director of Horticulture, the chief guest of the programme, in his speech appreciated the effort of ICAR-IIHR’s proactive involvement and also expressed his gratitude for conducting this training programme in Nagarur farm. He also mentioned in his speech that, there is country wide appreciation from various farmers and stakeholders for ICAR-IIHR technologies. Dr B Narayanswamy., Principal Scientist, Div. of Social Sciences and training, Incharge for Nagarur farm, from ICAR-IIHR, emphasised on importance of institutional linkages for effectively reaching out various technologies and services to farmers. Dr. C Aswath, Principal Scientist and Head, Division of flower and medicinal crops, ICAR-IIHR, in his speech appreciated the effort towards the improvement of the farm and assured all the support from the division. He motivated the trainees present over there for dissemination and adoption of advanced technologies. Dr. Tejaswini P, Principal scientist, Division of flower and medicinal crops, ICAR-IIHR, in her speech, showcased the entrepreneurial opportunities by adopting various floricultural technologies of ICAR-IIHR, especially on marigold and rose crops. Ms. Lakshmi, SADH, in-charge of Nagarur farm, expressed her gratitude towards ICAR-IIHR for continuous support in planning and implementing various floricultural interventions in the farm.
Dr. BNS Murthy, Director, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru along with all the participants visited the model floriculture farm and provided appropriate suggestions. After the formal inaugural program, hands-on-experience for propagation of marigold hybrids was given to all the participants.
This Programme was coordinated by Mr. G. A. Atheequlla and Dr. P Tejaswini.
