-C.S.Shabong
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| A View of Umlakro Farm at Jirang, Ri-bhoi District |
During
the British rule when Meghalaya was part of undivided Assam, Khasi Mandarin
Oranges were reported to be growing in abundance in the hill tract under Jirang
C&RD Block of Ri-Bhoi district. However, lack of adoption of scientific procedure
for cultivation and management practices caused poor productivity and these trees
began to decrease vigorously thus leading to citrus decline and dieback. The
District Horticulture Office begun to explore ways and means how to regain back
the past glories and today Umlakro Farm has emerged as a model of sustainable
horticulture development combining modern hitech horticulture technology with horti-tourism.
The
genesis of this story took roots when the Department of Agriculture was gifted 7
hectares of land from the Syiem of Jirang and his Durbar in the year 2004, with
the expectation that the land could be used for the overall development and
upliftment of agriculture in the region under Jirang C&RD Block.
During
2009, this land was transferred to the Directorate of Horticulture to develop but
it was only in 2012 that the office of the District Horticulture officer,
Ri-Bhoi could start work on the project for setting up a horticulture farm.
Thus Umlakro farm was created to not only re-nurture Khasi Mandarins, but also
to experiment with other citrus varieties like Nagpur Orange, Assam Lemon,
Sweet Orange. The farm also aims to provide farmers of the district with high quality
seeded and budded plants. Furthermore, the farm will also facilitate students
of Horticulture to conduct in-depth study on the functional, productivity,
efficiency and a holistic understanding of oranges, mandarins and lemon.
Students will also be able to learn from the farm through hands on approach
which will enhance their personal development.
In
the past, the life of a farmer is dictated by the weather gods -when the rain god,
the sun god, the god of the earth are favourable on them, the farmer can begin
to rejoice and thank the heavens for their season’s harvest. But apparently all
the rituals practiced by our farmers and their sacrifices have become futile with
the changing time and technology has taken over many aspects of farming. With
the aim of bringing development closer to the people in the villages, creating basic
infrastructure to provide gainful employment opportunities for the people and
empower them so that they may have the liberty to work as employers rather than
employees, the Directorate of Horticulture released fund of Rs. 6.25 lakhs for
developing basic infrastructure construction of shade house, overhead water tank and land
development to develop Umlakro as a model horticulture farm.
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| A Birds Eye View of the Farm |
Furthermore,
after conducting adequate studies on the land, soil and climate of the area,
the horticulture development officer in-charge of the farm opted to raise
mother plants in order to produce
quality planting materials of different citrus crops such
as the famed Khasi Mandarin,
Assam Lemon, Sweet Orange etc. The Office began to treat Umlakro Farm as a
future hub which would provide quality planting
materials to neighbouring villages and
their farmers. A model Floriculture Centre was also set up
during the year 2013-2014 as the area was found suitable for the cultivation of
flowers such as Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis and Blue Vanda.
Before
these intervention by the District Horticulture Office Nongpoh, Jirang was
known for widespread jhum cultivation
practices broom grass cultivation and timber
logging. The forests in the State are major carbon sinks and home to agro-biodiversity
which needs to be protected adequately.
Jhum cultivation leads to removal of tons of biomass, higher rate of run-off of
rainwater leading to drinking water shortage and even drought.
Today
the farm has managed to integrate horti-tourism elements alongside establishment
of modern nurseries for citrus, poly houses, mother blocks, hi tech green
houses, water harvesting structures, power generators, vermi compost units,
root stock blocks etc.
(The Writer works as Assistant Director of
Agriculture, Department of Agriculture Meghalaya and can be reached at
csshabong@gmail.com)
