NABARD Supported Agri-Export Facilitation Centre Organizes ‘Kisan Samriddhi Yatra’ to Boost Quality Fennel Production

NABARD Agri Export Facilitation Centre (AEFC) in collaboration with ‘DBT Biotech Kisan Hub for Aspirational District’ organized ‘Nagaur-Sirohi Kisan Samriddhi Yatra’ on 23rd March 2024. It was a first-of-its-kind exchange program between the two districts engaging over two dozen of fennel-growing farmers from the Khajwana-Merta region of Nagaur. The Yatra showcased advanced production practices, integrated nutrient management, multiple umbel cuttings, low-cost vertical shed drying technique, grading and post-harvest management adopted by the progressive fennel-growing farmers of Sirohi district.

The interactive session during the yatra focused on high-yielding disease-resistant fennel variety Abu Saunf-440, paired row planting, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Disease Management (IDM) techniques, multiple umbel cuttings, grading, storage and packaging of the yields.

Dr Dinesh Prajapat, DDM-Sirohi, NABARD called upon the farmers of Nagaur to take full benefits of scientific fennel production, its post-harvest management, tie-up with markets and avail bank credit to upscale their activities.

Department of Biotechnology’s Biotech Kisan Hub, supported by GoI for the Aspirational District of Sirohi; Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) Regional Research Station (RRS), Pali; Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Sirohi; DDM-Sirohi, NABARD and South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC), Jodhpur also participated in the Yatra.

The exchange programme was attended by Dr Dinesh Prajapat, DDM Sirohi, NABARD; Dr Kamla Choudhary of CAZRI-RRS, Pali; Dr Kamini Parashar of KVK, Sirohi, & Dr Bhagirath Choudhary from South Asia Biotechnology Centre, Jodhpur along with progressive farmers of Sirohi and 25 progressive fennel farmers from 10 villages of Khajwana-Merta belt of Nagaur district.

The Nagaur-Sirohi Kisan Samarddhi Yatra concluded with a visit to a low-cost vertical shed drying structure and field demonstration plot of a progressive farmer.