A field day highlights a package of production methods to increase the yield and quality of one of India’s favorite vegetables

The Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART) and the World Vegetable Center conducted a field day to demonstrate best practices in eggplant production on 18 April 2019 in Phulbari Basti, Lakhimpur District, Assam, India.

Participating farmers were able to compare plots using standard farmer’s practices with the World Vegetable Center’s demo plots, where a package of practices for land preparation, nursery practices, cultural practices, water and nutrient management, insect and disease management, and weed control were shown.

Based on his long-standing experience in eggplant production, Mr. Sahar Ali, a farmer from Phulbari Basti, was selected to host the field day on his farm. He explained to participants how the new package of practices was applied. Many participants expressed interest in taking up the new methods after they saw first-hand how the improved practices increased yield and fruit quality.

Vegetable seeds were distributed to participants by Mr. Debomoni Hazarika (Agriculture Development Officer) on behalf of the District Agriculture Office, Lakhimpur. The event was coordinated by Mr. Debomoni Hazarika, Mr. Lilakanta Payeng and Mr. Vijay Das from the District Agriculture Office, Lakhimpur, and Miss Shelja Pegu from the World Vegetable Center.

Story and photos: Abhilash Miriyapalli and Shelja Pegu