ATMA functionaries and farmers during the inauguration of
the farm school at Settsu village, Mokokchung, on Tuesday.
DIMAPUR — The
Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Mokokchung, Ongpangkong North
Block, unveiled a farm school on an orange farm at Settsu village on Tuesday.
According to an update, the farm school was inaugurated with
the aim of promoting farmer-to-farmer extension for the effective transfer of
agricultural technology among the farming community.
During the inaugural programme, a short session was
conducted in which Watisenla Imchen, Block Technology Manager (BTM),
Ongpangkong North Block, gave a keynote address briefing on the concept,
functions, and objectives of the farm school. She also outlined the duties and
responsibilities of a farm teacher.
Lanuwapang was appointed as the farm school teacher, along
with 19 farmers as farm students.
The inaugural programme was followed by training on
management practices of the orange orchard. The training aimed to impart
technical knowledge and upgrade skills in adopting various methods of orange
orchard management to the trainees.
During the training programme, resource person Tajungsola
Jamir, Agricultural Technology Manager (ATM), Ongpangkong North Block,
explained to the trainees the key aspects of orchard management, such as site
selection, irrigation, pest and disease control, fertilisation, pruning, and
orchard floor management.
She also encouraged the trainees to meet the requisite
demand and supply in the state by educating orchard farmers through
farmer-to-farmer technology transfer.
Farm school teacher Lanuwapang also shared his success story
of establishing and maintaining the orchard. He motivated the farmers to work
hard to achieve their goals and support their livelihoods.
The programme was followed by interaction and feedback from
the farmers. Inputs such as knapsack sprayers, agricultural tools (hand hoe,
khurpi, digging trowel, fruit gatherer), agri lime, and copper sulphate were
distributed to each farmer.
Altogether, 20 farm school students, along with ATMA staff,
attended the programme.
Earlier, ATMA Ongpangkong North Block, Mokokchung, conducted
a capacity-building programme on May 19 at Ungma village, where resource person
Watisenla Imchen stressed the role of organic waste decomposers in promoting
soil fertility and emphasised their advantages as a substitute for harmful
chemicals.
She explained that the decomposer effectively eliminates 96
per cent of pests, fungi, and bacterial plant diseases and can also be used for
seed treatment.
Additionally, she provided practical demonstrations on the
preparation process of organic waste decomposer.
Altogether, nine farmers attended the capacity programme.
