Following the development of the manual on the ‘Staggered Vegetable Production’ by the ARDC, Wengkhar under the CARLEP’s funding, two days training for the selected Geog Agriculture Extension Officers of the six Eastern Dzongkhags has started today (08/05/2017) at ARDC, Wengkhar.

Apparently, the staggered vegetable production intends to have a year-round vegetable production, capitalizing on the various AEZ (Agro-ecological Zones) that the region is based with. It is to substitute the nationally banned vegetables and also to contribute towards achieving the self-sufficiency in domestic vegetables.

In general, solanaceous (chili, eggplant, tomato) and the cucurbits (pumpkin, summer squash) are the summer vegetables. The crucifers (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, mustard greens), roots (carrot, radish), legumes (common beans, peas) and the bulbs (garlic, onion etc.) are winter crops. However, the classification depends upon the varieties. While the day neutral crops like common beans, cucurbits, eggplants and tomato are the most ideal crops, it all depends on the day length (photo-period) and the temperature.

Apart from the various presentations on the staggered vegetable production and the role of climate and geography in agriculture, the participants will also have the ‘Practical exercises on use of Geographic InfornaS in identification of areas for vegetables cultivation.’ By the end of the training, each participant (the Extension Agent) will produce the post-training work plan.

In line with the staggered vegetable production training, the Programme Director of ARDC and the CARLEP emphasized on the need to develop the ‘Writing Culture’ among the field staff on what they are doing in the field, to increase both efficiency and the visibility of the works. PD, CARLEP said that the programme looks forward for the outcome and the impact oriented reports, especially for the CARLEP funded activities.

A total of 30 Extension Agents are attending the training on the staggered vegetable production. Mr. Loday Phunstsho, the Deputy Chief Research Officer of ARDC is facilitating the entire training session. The training is funded by CARLP-IFAD to ARDC, Wengkhar.

-Reported by: KM section, CARLEP OPM