Andhra Pradesh - Ongole   

Adopt better farm practices, ryots told

Photo: Sreenivas Kommuri

Head of the CTRI A. Panda interacting with tobacco growers at Kandukur on Monday. —

ONGOLE: Tobacco growers have been asked to adopt better agricultural practices to improve per acre yields so that they can meet the increasing cost of cultivation effectively and make the crop continues to be remunerative.

Tobacco Board, Central Tobacco Research Station, ITC, Godrej Philips jointly organised one-day workshop for tobacco growers at Kandukur in Prakasam district on Monday.

Agricultural scientists, extension workers and marketing persons addressed the farmers.

Tobacco Board regional manager, Ongole, Abdul Hameed, who welcomed the gathering, explained the objectives of the workshop. He pointed out that the cost of cultivation was increasing every year making it necessary for farmers to adopt improved techniques to increase per acre yields.

Head of the CTRI at Rajahmundry A. Panda said farmers were able to increase their per acre yields in Southern Light Soils (SLS) by adopting new varieties of tobacco.

Agronomist of ITC Srinivas said tray nurseries would help farmers produce pure and healthy seeds to save their time, cost and achieve better yields.

A scientist of CTRI stressed the need of balanced fertilisers, green manure and organic manure and inter cultivation of main field to improve yields. Marketing manager of ITC L Kalyanarama Reddy explained seven best practices, including topping, to achieve higher yields in SLS.

Leaf Manager, ITC, G. Krishna Kumar asked farmers to reduce non-tobacco related matter in their produce to improve its exportability.

Managing committee member D Ankaiah wanted the board to provide mobile testing labs to help farmers know the nutrient level of their fields so that they can apply balanced fertilisers. About 300 growers attended the workshop.

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Adopt better farm practices, ryots told

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