Dimapur, April 1 (EMN): Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) organised various training, demonstration programmes and distributed farm inputs across Nagaland.
Tuensang: ATMA Tsaru block, Tuensang conducted a training and demonstration programme at Tsaru New town on March 29.
A press release from ATMA Tsaru block, Tuensang stated that ATM Khatemenla trained the farmers on packaging practices of potato and highlighted the cultivation practices. A demonstration on organic production of garden peas was given by ATM Tiyongnaro and use of a maize sheller for small scale farmers was conducted by BTM Dr. T Arenmongla.
An interactive session was held and maize sheller was also distributed to all the participants. BFAC members, SHG’s, Farmer’s Friend and progressive farmers along with ATMA functionaries attended the programme.
Mokokchung: In Mokokchung, ATMA Changtongya block conducted a training programme on “Crop residue management and field sanitation” at Unger village, Mokokchung on March 29.
Nuksungienla, ATM, Kubolong block highlighted the importance of the management of crop residues and its practical applicability and trained the farmers on managing crop residues after harvest and emphasised on managing soil fertility.
Altogether, 25 farmers attended the training programme, where inputs like hand hoe(FSH-1, FSH-2), garden rack and bio pesticides were distributed to each farmer.
A demonstration on “Plant spacing and picking interval of Okra” was also held at Akhoya village, Mokokchung on March 29, where resource person Tajungsola Jamir, ATM, Changtongya block gave a hands on demonstration on preparation of seed bed followed by seed sowing where proper spacing requirement of the plant was given.
Further, the farmers were highlighted on the importance of timely picking intervals of the crop. Inputs such as seeds, bio fertilisers and bio pesticides were also distributed to each farmer.
Simultaneously, on March 29, ATMA Kubolong block organised training on management of fishery ponds at Yimchalu village in Mokokchung district.
Neken, asst. fishery inspector, who was the resource person, stated that sustainable, productive fisheries and aquaculture improves food and nutrition security, increases income and improves livelihood, while promoting economic growth and protecting our environment and natural resources.
He also covered an array of aspects from nursery pond, rearing pond, stocking pond, pre-stocking pond management and stocking pond management.
Later, the farmers had a productive interaction with the expert. Altogether, 18 farmers participated in the training programme.
ATMA Ongpangkong South block held a training programme on “Hydroponics and hi-tech nursery management” at Chungtia village on March 31. BTT Convenor, Imtitemsu, ATMA Ongpangkong South block highlighted on the importance of hydroponics, basic and key features of a hydroponic system, its advantages and the methods and equipment used to set up a hydroponic growing system.
Another demonstration was conducted at Alichen, Mokokchung on cultivation practices of sweet corn. Resource person, Bendangkumzuk, BTM, ATMA Ongpangkong South block gave a hands on demonstration on preparation of seed bed, method of sowing and spacing required for the plant and encouraged the farmers for proper nutrient management and clean cultivation.
Niuland: ATMA Niuland Block also conducted a demonstration on “Cultivation practices of ginger (Nadia var.)” at Ghotovi village on March 29 with Kavi Sumi, jr. scientist, AICRP, SASRD, NU-Medziphema as the resource person.
He informed that the critical stages for irrigation are during germination, rhizome initiation and rhizome development stages. The demonstration was conducted for two women SHGs, who were provided 100 kgs of ginger rhizomes to be cultivated in an organic method.
Dimapur: Meanwhile, ATMA Dimapur Chumoukedima block held a demonstration on correct dosage and application of bio pesticides against Fall Army Worm (FAW) in a maize field at Tenyiphe-1 village.
Demonstration on working of the knapsack sprayer, measurement of the correct dose and spot application of bio pesticide was conducted by Aten, ATM. Marking the programme, inputs such as Neem oil, Nimbicidine (Azadirachtin 1500 ppm), liquid B Thuringiensis and knapsack sprayers were distributed to the participants.
On the same day, another demonstration programme on cultivation practices of oyster Mushroom was conducted at Ekranipathar village for United SHG (Food security group) with Neisetonuo Debbie, horticulture officer, State Horticulture Nursery, Dimapur and BTT convenor, Chumuokedima block as resource person.
Inputs like mushroom spawn, perforated poly bags and hand pneumatic sprayers were distributed to the participants.
On March 29, ATMA Dimapur conducted a district farmers training on the importance of biofertilisers in seed and soil treatments and benefits of backyard vegetable farming at Niuland with Roben Singh, ACTO (Agronomy), KVK (ICAR), Medziphema as the resource person. A total of 20 farmers were present during the training programme and received vegetable kits and bio fertilisers.
Zunheboto: ATMA Zunheboto , Akuluto block conducted a demonstration programme on inter row cropping of maize, cultivation practices of beans and tomato at Lumithsami and Sutemi villages from March 30 to 31st.
Tiarenla, ATM and Tsuktilemla, BTM, Akuluto block were the resource persons and highlighted on the benefits of double row and inter row cropping of maize with proper spacing for better yield and productivity.
Cultivation practices and importance of staking in beans and irrigation in tomato were also explained to the farmers. Maize and tomato seeds from SDAO office , department of Agriculture were distributed to the farmers after the demonstration programme.
In Tokiye block, ATMA organised a demonstration programme at various villages on March 30 and 31st.
Ika Kinimi, ATM conducted a demonstration at Lukhuyi village on the topic demonstration on preparation and application of waste decomposer. On the same day, Kanato Sumi, ATM presented a demonstration on the topic demonstration on propagation and planting of ginger sets.
On the March 31, Kinimi conducted a demonstration at Aquba Old on the topic demonstration on preparation and use of Azotobacter. He demonstrated the proper method of using azotobacter as a medium in seed treatment, for root dipping to promote seed germination and rapid crop growth.
A total of 34 farmers attended the programme.
Meanwhile, ATMA Zunheboto block conducted a demonstration programme at Suruhuto and Kholeboto village on March 30 and 31st respectively.
Demonstration on methods of seed treatment by bio control agents was conducted by Kaoto Sema, ATM. He emphasised on the usage of specific products and techniques to improve the growth, environment for the seed, seedlings and young plants.
Moanenla, ATM demonstrated on promotion of leguminous plants to enhance soil fertility. She stressed on the importance of legumes which differ from non-leguminous crops because of its nitrogen fixation through root nodules.
At Kholeboto, BTM, Livika conducted demonstration on good agricultural practice of chilli to get higher yield. She highlighted on different varieties of chilli that are resistant to diseases. Land preparation, sowing time, irrigation, pest and disease were also discussed. Seeds of green peas were distributed to the farmers in collaboration with IFAD.
All together, 20 farmers along with ATMA functionaries attended the demonstration programme.
ATMA Ghathashi block, Zunheboto also conducted a demonstration at Laza Phuyeqa and Lazami on March 31 and April 1.
A press release from ATMA Ghathashi block Zunheboto informed that block technology manager, Wellson Shitio demonstrated on kharif vegetable seed bed preparation and spacing line sowing benefits. Another demo on preparation of bio pesticides was shown by ATM Kerilhoulie Rulu.
ATM Kaboli Wotsa demonstrated oyster mushroom production and said that commercial mushroom cultivation could be an alternative, which could ensure enhancement of income and achieve self-employment to the youths.
A total of 18 progressive farmer and SHGs attended the programme.