IV. TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY :
i. Training programmes to farmers and Technical staff :
During 2020-21 crop season, Board had organized 166 training programmes to the farmers in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka at different stages of crop growth from Nursery Management to Crop harvesting, curing and on farm storage to create awareness on Good Agricultural Practices. Around 8494 participants (growers/staff) had participated in these training programmes.
Board in collaboration with NIPHM, Hyderabad organized trainings to 64 no. of technical officers on various topics viz., “AESA and Ecological Engineering in Pest Management”, “On farm production of Bio control agents and Microbial Pesticides” through virtual mode during 2020-21 crop season.
CTRI has imparted training to 70 no. of Out Sourcing F.A’s/ Field Assistants/ Senior Field Assistants & 48 no. of Field Officers/ S.G.O/Auction Superintendents working in Andhra Pradesh, at their Research Station, Kandukur and Rajahmundry on “Best management practices in FCV tobacco cultivation and related IPS for production sustainability & profitability” during 2020-21 crop season.
ii. Publicity material:
During 2020-21 crop season, various multi colour pamphlets covering the topics “Management and control of Orobanche parasite”,“Importance of green manure crops raising in FCV tobacco”,“Elimination of Non Tobacco Related Material (NTRM) in FCV tobacco” and “Recommended Crop Protection Agents(CPAs) and their dosages” were got printed in Telugu language for distribution to growers of Andhra Pradesh state.
iii. Workshops:
During 2020-21 crop season, Regional Managers in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka organized workshops on “Good Agricultural Practices in tobacco cultivation” to the growers and staff.
iv. Study tours.
During 2020-21 crop season, the Auction Superintendents in SLS/SBS region, have conducted study tours to threshing plants to demonstrate growers the tobacco processing operations and the adverse effect of NTRMs on threshing machinery.
Auction Superintendents in NLS region organized study tours to Horticulture university, Venkataramannagudem, Oil palm research station, Pedavegi, Sri Subramanyeswara Prakruthi Vyavasaya Kshetram, Gundugolanukunta and multistoried farming model plot in Tirumalampalem village to educate growers on alternate crop production, demonstrate benefits of natural farming and mode of diversification of agriculture for sustainability.
v. Field Friend Teams:
The Tobacco Board has constituted Field Friends teams with Scientists from CTRI, field executives of major companies and Board’s Technical Officers to extend timely advises and suggestions to the growers on different aspects of tobacco cultivation.
vi. Model Project Area :
Board has implemented Model Project Area scheme in 18 villages in Andhra Pradesh and 12 villages in Karnataka to encourage farmers in these areas to adopt Good Agricultural Practices to enhance productivity and quality of FCV tobacco in a focused manner. Trade was also involved in developmental activities in MPA villages.
