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Agriculture Technological Management Agency (ATMA) under Dimapur district organises a week-long skill training of rural youth (STRY) on employment generation and income through sericulture at Amaluma village from January 16 to the 21st with the participation of 20 youth including three male and 17 female.
An update from ATMA Dimapur stated that the welcome address at the inaugural programme was delivered by Avitoli K Yeptho, deputy project director, wherein she stressed on the importance of vocational studies. She stated that the training was aimed at imparting skill-based training to rural youth in compliance with the national policy on skill development and entrepreneurship 2015 in agriculture and allied areas to promote employment in rural areas.
She informed that India is the second largest producer of silk in the world and has the distinction of being the only country producing all the five known commercial silks namely mulberry, tropical tasar, oak tasar, eri and muga.
She disclosed that the export earnings of silk during 2020-21 was INR 1418.97 crore and the estimated employment generation under sericulture in the country was 8.7 million persons during 2020-21.
The resource persons of the training were C Zhipen, sericulture supervisor; P Moainla, block technology manager of Dhansiripar; and Kaiho Achumi, assistant technology manager.
The training concluded on January 21 where certificates were awarded to the participants. The vote of thanks was delivered by P Moainla.
In another programme, ATMA under Ghathashi block in Zunheboto district conducted a demonstration programmes on mushroom cultivation in Chisholimi village on January 24. The demonstration programme was conducted in collaboration with IFAD.
The resource person, ATM Kerilhoulie Rulu, has demonstrated step-by-step procedures in cultivation and caring of harvested mushrooms. He also explained how mushroom cultivation could strengthen local livelihoods through generation of a fast yielding, nutritious source of food and serve as a reliable source of income.
Another demonstration on ‘Gully Plug' was conducted in which the resources person explained the steps and methods in construction of the check dams. The main objective of the programme was to prevent soil erosion and increase percolation thereby increasing the water table.
Altogether, 25 progressive farmers were benefited from the programme.
ATMA of Ongpangkong North Block in Mokokchung also conducted a demonstration programmes in Longsa and Chubayimkum villages on January 28.
An update informed that the resource person Watisenla Imchen, BTM, dwelled on the topic ‘Improved cultivation practices for millet (Foxtail millet variety), including hands-on practical demonstration in the field like land preparation, seed rate, selection of good quality seeds and sowing methods.
She also briefed on growth and flowering stage and maturity indices for harvesting the crop.
It informed that millet popularity is slowly gaining popularity and many efforts are being made to make bring the crop back into public consciousness. It stated that due to high resistance against harsh conditions, millets are sustainable to the environment and provide high nutritional value.
Resource person Nuksunginla Jamir, ATM, demonstrated on gGood agricultural practices of chilli variety F1 Agni 7282’ and ‘Package for practices of potato variety Kufri Jyoti.’
She also stressed on hardening of seedling before transplanting, time of planting, spacing intervals, selection of hybrid seed, pest and diseases control of chilly cultivation, irrigation schedules, harvesting techniques and curing of potato cultivation.
Inputs like seeds, neem cake and bio-pesticides were distributed to all the farmers.
Altogether, 25 farmers attended the demonstration programme.
ATMA Mon under Chen block also conducted a demonstration programme in Chen village in Mon district on January 25.
The resource persons BTM Nusakho Nyekha and ATM Taiching Yana, demonstrated on the various methods of plant propagation, pest management in vegetable crops using bio control agents and rodent management in field and storages.
The resource persons also interacted with the farmers and instructed the importance of various activities including sanitation and irrigation in the field, an update informed.
Meanwhile, ATMA Longleng conducted a demonstration on ‘Application of Phophotika and Azotobacter biofertilisers’ and ‘Intercropping of sweet corn and beans’ in Yachem village on January 27.
Resource person Bendangkumzuk Walling sensitised on the importance and cost-effectiveness of bio-fertilisers and encouraged regular use for better growth and development of plants, while limiting the use of chemicals as last resort.
“Phosphotika and Azotobacter available at State Bio-Control Lab in Medziphema, help the plants to absorb phosphorus better as well as fix atmospheric nitrogen,” he said.
Walling stated that intercropping of legumes such as beans would not only fix nitrogen and improve soil health but also provide support for the growth of beans.
Report stated that bio-fertilisers and seeds were distributed to the farmers after the training programme.