Agricultural officials trained on innovation and advanced technology

By Our Correspondent,Banepa, Jan. 12: A training programme on innovation and advanced technology in agriculture was conducted for the heads and technical staff of agricultural branches working in the local levels of Kavrepalanchok and Sindhupalchok districts.

The Agricultural Development Office, Kavrepalanchok, organised the three-day training for the heads and technical staffs from 13 local levels of Kavrepalanchok and 12 local levels of Sindhupalchok.

According to Office Chief Kul Prasad Dawadi, the training provided information on the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), climate-friendly agricultural systems, agricultural and livestock insurance, mobile apps and their usage, automated irrigation, and fertiliser management systems (fertigation).

Dawadi stated that the training also covered topics such as agricultural data collection, reporting on agricultural activities, and the preparation of photo and video materials. 

He added that participants would be able to digitally map pocket areas of various crops in their respective local levels and estimate the area covered by different crops after the training.

The training aimed to familiarise technical staff with aspects of the automated irrigation and nutrient management systems, which have recently gained popularity among Nepali farmers. 

Dawadi said the training is expected to contribute to the promotion and expansion of climate-friendly agricultural practices while also supporting cost reduction and profit maximisation through proper water and nutrient management.

The training, which began on Wednesday and concluded on Friday, featured facilitation by Assistant Professor Sunil Regmi from Kathmandu University on GIS usage, Engineer Krishnakeshav Chaudhary on automated irrigation and fertilisation systems, and retired Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture, Shiva Sundar Ghimire, on aspects of agricultural and livestock insurance.