LAKHIMPUR: A grand harvest programme of ‘Sali’ paddy using-reaper-cum binder was conducted at Serapbhati, North Lakhimpur on Wednesday by AAU-Zonal Research Station, North Lakhimpur, where the research station also conducted cluster demonstration on stress tolerant rice variety Ranjit Sub-1 and Swarna Sub-1 in around 100 bighas of land under Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART). Notably, reaper-cum-binder is a new harvesting machine, introduced for the first time in Lakhimpur district, which cuts the paddy at desired height and binds the sheaves at the same time.
The programme started with a brief introduction on the objective of organizing the grand harvest programme and importance of Submergence Tolerance Variety of Rice (STRV) in today’s programme by the Chief Scientist Dr. Prabal Saikia. Chandra Chutia, member of Lakhimpur Zila Paridshad, graced the occasion as chief guest and he urged the farmers to adopt farm mechanization and keep updated about the new technologies in the field of agriculture. Special invitee, Bhabhajit Doley, District Agriculture Officer of Lakhimpur, described various programmes and schemes, being implemented by the governments and to avail the benefits of these programmes and schemes, like paddy procurement starting from December 1,2023, PM-Kisan, PM-Fasal Bima Yojna, PM-KSY etc. In the same programme, importance of farm mechanization to reduce cost of cultivation and drudgery was highlighted by Dr. Vivek Kumar, Senior Specialist of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
Also watch: