Chamba: Training on crop yield assessment methods

In order to prepare for estimating the maize and paddy crop yields during the current kharif season in Chamba district, a two-day training camp was organised by the Agriculture Department for revenue and agriculture officials.

Speaking at the camp, Deputy Director (Agriculture) Kuldeep Dhiman said 80 per cent of the yield assessment was conducted by revenue officials while the remaining 20 per cent was carried out by agriculture officers. This year, a total of 318 crop-cutting experiments will be conducted in Chamba district to estimate the maize and paddy yields. Out of these, 264 crop-cutting experiments are assigned to the Revenue Department and 54 to the Agriculture Department.

Dhiman said before every harvest, officials were trained in crop-cutting techniques and taught how to assess the yield afterwards. He said the fields for crop cutting were pre-selected using a specific technical method. This year, the entire process, including the results of crop cutting, would be recorded on a mobile app, he said.

He emphasised the importance of accurate crop yield estimation as the data gathered through crop-cutting experiments formed the basis for future plans to improve yield.