A Field Day on management of weedy rice in Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) was organized at Dungariya village through the joint collaboration of ICAR-Directorate of Weed Research, Jabalpur and ICAR-Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack. The programme demonstrated the use of the herbicide tolerant rice (HTR) variety CR 807 as an effective option for managing weedy rice under DSR conditions.
Around 70 farmers from the village and nearby areas actively participated in the programme. The event was attended by the TSP team of ICAR-DWR and Dr. Mridul Chakraborti, Senior Scientist, ICAR-CRRI, Cuttack. The programme was organized under the guidance of Dr. P. K. Singh, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer, TSP, ICAR-DWR, Jabalpur, who emphasized the importance of integrated weed management technologies and effective implementation of TSP interventions for enhancing farmers' livelihoods. During the programme, the scientists visited the farmers' fields, interacted with the participants, and discussed practical strategies for effective weedy rice management under direct-seeded rice. In view of the anticipated El Niño conditions, scientists also discussed contingency measures with the farmers to minimize the possible impact on the DSR crop through appropriate crop and water management practices.
The team also reviewed the ongoing Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) activities in the village. The performance of Kadaknath poultry rearing under the Integrated Farming System (IFS) and backyard poultry farming component was evaluated and found to be satisfactory. Beneficiary farmers expressed satisfaction with the intervention and appreciated its contribution towards improving their livelihood and income. Farmers appreciated the collaborative efforts of ICAR-DWR and ICAR-CRRI in bringing improved technologies to the field and found the programme highly informative and beneficial. The programme was coordinated by Dr. J. K. Soni and Dr. Sahdeo, with technical support from Mr. M. K. Meena, ACTO, ICAR-DWR, Jabalpur.