Report on celebration of Kisan Diwas and Swachtha Pakhwada by Ginning Training Centre (GTC), Nagpur

Ginning Training Centre (GTC) of ICAR-CIRCOT (Mumbai), Nagpur celebrated the Kisan Diwas and conducted an awareness about maintaining hygiene and benefits of clean cotton pickings at village Akoli, Wardha on 23rd Dec, 2020 in association with The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry&Cotton Development & Research Association (CITI-CDRA), Mumbai. About 75 farmers and stake holders from Akoli and nearby MGMG adopted villages participated in this programme. The programme began with welcome to the guests and farmers and extended greetings to farmers on Kisan Diwas by Dr. S.K. Shukla, PS & Office In-charge, GTC. Dr. A. R. Raju, Principal Scientist, ICAR-Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur explained in detail about the crops and cultivation practices to be followed in the Vidarbha regions to increase farm income and reduce the cost of cultivation. Besides, he also advised farmers to save water by adopting various water saving strategies.

Shri G. H. Wairale, former, GM, Maharashtra Cotton Federation, Nagpur has addressed the issues faced by the farmers related to marketing of cotton.Dr. Shukla spoke at length about the importance of clean cotton production and enlightened the sources of contamination during various stage of cotton processing. Dr. K. Pandiyan, Scientist, GTC mentioned the utilization of cotton stalks for production of compost and mushroom. On the occasion, the farmers were distributed with clean cotton picking kits and demonstrated the ways and methods of clean cotton production. Awareness was also created among the farmers pertaining to cleanliness in surroundings, homes and at public places. They were also advised to wear mask, frequent washing of hands and to maintain social distancing to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. The programme was concluded with vote of thanks by Shri U. D. Devikar, ACTO, GTC, Nagpur.