A daylong training on the recent advances in sustainable crop production was organized by Regional Research Station, ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Leh in Stakmo, Leh on 5 February. 

At the outset of the training, Stakmo Sarpanch Jigmat briefed about the role of CAZRI in Cold Arid region of Ladakh. ICAR-CAZRI, Leh also identified Stakmo as one of the villages under ‘Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav’. The scheme envisages scientists to “select villages as per their convenience and remain in touch with the selected villages and provide information to the farmers on technical and other related aspects in a time frame through personal visits or on telephone”.

Dr M.S. Raghuvanshi, Sr. Scientist and in charge of the station delivered about the introductory remarks on the research station and brought to the knowledge of the farmers about the importance of menace of weeds in crops and their management for bringing the prosperity through effective cereal production.

He urged the farmers to practice clean cultivation which is free from weeds and other pests. He emphasized that weeds alone reduce the productivity up to 30%. 

Jigmat Stanzin Sr. Technical Officer talked about how the potato production can be enhanced using recommended practices. Stanzin Landol, Technical Assistant presented a menace of maggots in onion and its management. 

About 45 farmers including farm-women participated in the training. During the training, 45 farmers were given quality vegetable seeds and solar lantern under TSP and it was also urged to follow the recommended crop production practices to improve the crop production.