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India Center of Excellence Welcomes Farmers to Mega Field Day

Posted On: November 9, 2022
Honored guests at the Mega Field Day
Dignitaries at the Mega Field Day held at the EWS-KT Center of Excellence in Keonjhar.

On 7 November, East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation India organized a Mega Field Day at its Center of Excellence in Keonjhar, Odisha, to raise awareness of vegetable cultivation techniques that can help farmers increase their production and reduce their risk of crop damage due to adverse climatic conditions. Inaugurated in June, the Center of Excellence (CoE) is a knowledge dissemination center for vegetable production techniques that is designed to serve smallholder farmers and other vegetable sector stakeholders.

A total of 250 farmers—150 women and 100 men—participated in the Mega Field Day.

Women farmers of Odisha visiting the Center of Excellence (CoE) along with the technical field advisors from EWS-KT India
Women farmers of Odisha at the Mega Field Day, along with EWS-KT Technical Field Advisors.

The event program included addresses by Ananda UVL, Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, East-West Seed; Sathiyabama Baskaran, Head, EWS-KT India; Manorama Mukut, Assistant Horticulture Officer, Directorate of Horticulture, Keonjhar; Mr. Rathamunda, Zila Parishad Zone 5, Keonjhar; and Satyajit Garnayak, Territory Sales Manager, East-West Seed. Also speaking at the event were three representatives from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Keonjhar: Dr. Lipsa Dash, Scientist; Dr. Naram Ramu, Subject Matter Specialist, Agronomy; and Dr. Amrita Mohapatra, Farm Manager.

Farmers who visited the Mega Field Day event at the Center of Excellence listening to the dignitaries present at the event
Farmers listen to the Mega Field Day speakers.

Sixteen crop demonstration plots were on display at the CoE, showcasing crops like bitter gourd, butternut squash, okra, chili pepper, and sweet corn. The farmers who attended the event learned about techniques like raised beds, mulching, trellising, and integrated pest management, and they were also introduced to digital platforms for learning vegetable cultivation.

Technical supervisor explaining about the techniques used in vegetable production to the farmers
An EWS-KT Technical Supervisor explains the CoE’s vegetable production techniques to visiting farmers.
EWS-KT Technical Field Officer Sanu Kumar Behara explaining to farmers about the techniques followed at the CoE for vegetable cultivation
EWS-KT Technical Field Officer Sanu Kumar Behara talks to farmers about the improved agricultural techniques used at the CoE.

Booths set up at the CoE to teach vegetable cultivation techniques and provide hands-on experience engaged the farmers attending the Mega Field Day. 

Smallholder farmers from Koenjhar and other districts visiting the booths organized for knowledge dissemination at the CoE
Smallholder farmers from Keonjhar and other districts visit the booths organized for knowledge dissemination at the Mega Field Day.

The event was a grand success, and the EWS-KT India team aims to continue to expand its outreach to the smallholder farmers of Odisha through multiple programs and activities.

For more on the Center of Excellence at Keonjhar, read about our Technical Support Hub Manager’s visit to the CoE in September.

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