A ''Skill Upgradation Programme on Improved Methods of Vegetable Cultivation'' was organized under the Project on ‘Developing gender sensitive model for doubling farmers’ income by addressing gender concerns and technological gaps’ at Nuasahi village in Nimapara block of Puri district on 21 July, 2018.

With the vision of Doubling farmers' income, some of the horticultural interventions like round the year vegetable cultivation, scientific management of vegetable crops and off-season vegetable production were identified. A cropping pattern for round the year vegetable cultivation for irrigated upland was prepared considering the soil status and agro-climatic condition of the region. Rainy season vegetables like hybrid cucumber and bittergourd were distributed to 40 farm women. Some of the day neutral vegetables like brinjal (var. Arka Neelachal Shyama and Arka Neelachal Kranti), chilli (var. Arka Neelachal Agni) and okra (var. Arka Anamika) was also popularised among the farming community. Pro-tray method of nursery raising was demonstrated to them, in which they were imparted hands on skill in preparation of potting mixture and raising of seedlings. The technology of raising seedlings in pro-tray has several advantages over traditional ways of nursery preparation in the field, firstly it helps in raising healthy seedlings as soil borne diseases like wilting and damping off are eliminated, secondly seedlings can be prepared early in extreme rainy season when outside environment is not conducive for conventional nursery raising, lastly it is convenient, cost-effective and saves time and reduces drudgery of farm women.

Polythene mulch was also distributed to women farmers to grow these crops with polythene mulching. The benefits of polythene mulching such as efficient use of resources (fertilizers, water and sunlight), reduction in the intensity of weed growth & pest population, moisture retention in soil for a longer period and early harvest of quality produce was ensured among the farming community.

The Scientific and Technical Staff from ICAR-CIWA, Smt. Ankita Sahu and Shri. Manoranjan Prusty delivered technical talks and attended the queries of the farm families, covering the subjects mentioned above. The programme was also graced by the participation of Scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Puri, Dr. Sumita Acharya and Dr. Pradipta Majhi, who delivered technical talks on the subjects viz., utilization of backyard spaces for nutrition gardens and soil health management. Awareness was also created among farmwomen on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and composting of agricultural wastes. The programme was attended by a cluster of 40 farmwomen from different villages of Nimapara block. The PI of the project, Dr. J. Charles Jeeva coordinated the programme.