Dimapur, Feb 14 (EMN): Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Tuensang, and Eleutheros Christian Society had jointly organised a farmers scientist interaction at Chingmelen, a programme sponsored by Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Tuensang, on the theme ‘Production technologies of field crops like rice, maize, pulses etc,’ with special reference to post harvest, pests & diseases and soil fertility management.
In the interactive session, farmers raised various points related to their farming constraints to the panel of KVK subject experts. On analysis, it was observed that farmers were deeply attached to traditional system of cultivation with more cost involvement than profit, while most farmers were yet to understand the benefits of systemic intercropping and crop rotation techniques.
It was noted that post harvest losses were mostly related to storage pest and improper storage system. Problems related to soil, pests and diseases were also streamlined.
Some notable recommendations proposed by the panel of experts based on the problems raised by the farmers were growing of short duration improved varieties of maize like NMH-1247 with improved soya bean varieties like RVS 2001-04, JS-9305, JS-9560 and kholar as sequence crop which can not only increase the production but also cut down the production cost. With regard to post harvest and storage pest in cereals and pulses, experts have recommended preventive measures as well as mechanical measures like insect probe traps which are very effective in reducing managing storage pests.
On soil fertility management, experts have suggested use of available resources like Azolla in TRC to convert nitrogen rich compost for field application. Altogether 42 farmers mostly farm women participated in the programme.
