ICAR-IISWC, RC, Koraput organized three days training program on soil water conservation measures, drainage line treatment measures and water harvesting structures for the Watershed Development Team (WDTs) members, Cluster level Workers (CLW), Presidents, Secretaries and Progressive Farmers from Boipariguda Cluster II (consisting of 9 micro-watersheds: Chingdaguda, Bhatipada, Khemabeda, Bhaliapadar, Tikarpada, Majhiguda, Tottapada, Kattapada and Mankidi) of Koraput district, under REWARD Project from 5th–7th December, 2024. A total 27 participants have undergone training. During inauguration programme, Sh G W Barla (STO) welcomed all the dignitaries including watershed development team members and staff of the centre. Dr. Ramajayam Devarajan, Head and Training Coordinator, interacted with the farmers and given a brief introduction about various engineering measures suggested in DPR. In this training programme Dr P. K. Mishra, former Director, ICAR-IISWC graced the occasion as chief guest and delivered a lecture on Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) on Soil and Water Conservation on first day (5th Dec 2024) and interacted with the trainee at demonstration site at research farm on second day( 6th Dec2024).

During the training programme five external resource persons (Dr. Manjushri Singh; Central University Odisha, Koraput, Mrs Suman Rout, ADSC, Koraput, Er Abhisek Dash, Asst. Director, Coffee Board, Dr Dwarika Mohan Dash, scientist, KVK, OUAT, Dr Hombegowda HC, ICAR-IISWC, RC, Ooty) joined online, imparted training and shared their experience regarding various engineering measures for effective implementation of watershed activities suggested in the DPR for Boipariguda Cluster II. Dr. Jotirmayee Lenka (Scientist) and Dr. Saswat Kumar Kar (Scientist) ICAR-IISWC, RC, Koraput demonstrated various water harvesting techniques for horticultural crops in the Eastern ghat region and site selection, estimation and costing of SWC and WHS measures and have made a visit to various soil and water conservation measures for improving soil moisture respectively. All the technical and project staffs of the centre assisted in carrying out the practical classes and demonstration of various SWC, DLT measures and water harvesting structures in the field along with onsite demonstration of the use of mobile application-based on Google Earth for identifying the suggested engineering measures. All the participants enthusiastically interacted with the resource persons and shared their learning experiences at Jogiput MWS of Boipariguda Cluster II. At the end of the program, ShG.B.Naik (ACTO) thanked everyone involved in the arrangement of the program. All the staff of the research centre participated and actively involved in the organization of the program.