ICAR-Directorate of Weed Research (ICAR-DWR), Jabalpur, organized a Training-cum-Farmer–Scientist Interface meeting on nutrition garden and vegetable production at tribal-dominated Padariya village of Kundam block, Jabalpur, MP under the Farmer FIRST Programme (FFP). The programme aimed to promote backyard nutrition gardens to meet the daily vegetable requirements of farm families and improve household nutrition. A total of 40 farmers, including 32 Mahila Kisans, participated in the programme.
Dr. P.K. Mukherjee, Principal Scientist and PI, FFP, and Dr. Dasari Sreekanth, Co-PI, explained the ICAR-IIVR vegetable kit and discussed suitable techniques for establishing and managing nutrition gardens. The kit included seeds of okra, brinjal, cowpea, chilli, tomato, bottle gourd, snake gourd, Indian bean, radish and palak. The interaction also focused on promoting women’s self-reliance through vegetable gardens and fruit plantations. Farmers were encouraged to prepare compost at the household level, for which portable compost kits will be provided as critical inputs under FFP. The programme also emphasized developing village-level orchards and promoting nutrition gardens led by women farmers.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. R. Marabi, Lead Farmer. The initiative is expected to contribute to improved household nutrition, sustainable vegetable production and greater self-reliance among women farmers in the tribal village.