Farmers’ Exposure Visit and Farmer–Scientist Interaction Programme
Date: 05 August 2026
Venue: School of Agriculture, GIET University, Gunupur, Odisha
The School of Agriculture, GIET University, Gunupur organized a Farmers’ Exposure Visit and Farmer–Scientist Interaction Programme on 05 August 2026 for 40 progressive farmers from R. Udaygiri Block, Gajapati District. The programme, facilitated by the Office of the Block Technology Team (BTT), Convenor, Farmers’ Information and Advisory Centre (FIAC), aimed to promote modern agricultural technologies, sustainable farming practices, and innovative crop production. The visit was coordinated by Mr. Subrat Kumar Dalei.
The programme began with a guided visit to Instructional Farm-I, where farmers were introduced to the university’s teaching, research, and demonstration facilities. At the Research and Students’ Demonstration Plots, Dr. Nishith Das explained ongoing crop research, improved varieties, scientific crop management, balanced nutrient application, and integrated pest management. Farmers actively participated in discussions and sought practical recommendations for improving productivity.
At the Vermicompost Unit, Dr. Rajeswari Das and Dr. Suman G. Sahu demonstrated vermicompost production, vermiwash, and enriched compost formulations, highlighting their role in improving soil fertility, microbial activity, and reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers. Farmers expressed interest in adopting the technology and purchasing quality vermicompost and vermiwash.
At the Mushroom and Spawn Production Unit, Mr. Varanasi Adarsh demonstrated commercial mushroom cultivation, spawn production, crop management, harvesting, and marketing opportunities, emphasizing mushroom cultivation as an additional income source. Farmers enquired about the availability of quality spawn for commercial production.
Throughout the visit, Mr. Ashok Kumar Mishra, Associate Dean (Administration), Dr. Sushant Kumar Mohanty, Professor, and faculty members interacted with participants, addressing queries on crop production, organic farming, soil health, integrated farming systems, and income-generating enterprises.
A Farmer–Scientist Interaction Programme on “Modern Approaches in Agriculture” followed in the Smart Classroom. Dr. Sushant Kumar Mohanty discussed sustainable cropping systems, including intercropping, paira cropping, and rice–oilseed systems, while Mr. Ashok Kumar Mishra highlighted the causes of yield gaps and scientific practices to improve productivity.
The programme concluded with an interactive discussion where scientists provided practical solutions to farmers’ queries. Overall, the event successfully strengthened farmer–university linkages, enhanced awareness of modern agricultural technologies, organic farming, mushroom cultivation, soil health management, and sustainable cropping systems. The farmers’ enthusiasm to adopt these technologies, including purchasing mushroom spawn, vermicompost, and vermiwash, reflected the programme’s success in promoting scientific agriculture and sustainable rural development.
