DIMAPUR — KVK Kiphire, ICAR for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, along with Nagaland Forest Management Project under DFO (Forest), Kiphire, and NSRLM Longmatra block jointly conducted training on ‘Integrated pest management for control of fall army worm (FAW) in maize’ and input distribution programme in five villages of Kiphire district.
An update from KVK Kiphire stated that the training in Kiphire village on May 11, Kepongya ward on May 13, Thsingar village on May 24, New Longmatra village and Tethuyu village on May 29 with Dr. N Khumdemo Ezung, senior scientist and head of KVK Kiphire, and Temjenna Jamir, SMS (Agromet) KVK, Kiphire, as the resource persons.
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It stated that Dr. N Khumdemo spoke on the life cycle of FAW, where he informed that the most damaging stage of FAW was the larval stage which vigorously feeds during the night hour. He emphasised on the importance of carrying out regular scouting of the maize particularly at sowing to 30 days so as to know the infestation of the FAW.
Temjenna Jamir apprised the farmers about the IPM approach for the control of FAW. She emphasised on cultural measures such as proper ploughing and regular weeding to keep the insect population down. Besides the cultural approach, she informed that spraying of Bacillus thuringiensis is more effective as compared to Metarhizium application.
She, however, encouraged the farmers to adopt bio-pesticide application for the control of FAW at the same time cautioned that the application of Bacillus thuringiensis should be adopted in places where there are no sericulture activities.
Speaking on the importance of weather in agricultural practices, she encouraged the farmers to get them registered under mkisan for weekly weather crop advisory and weather updates through whatsapp and text messages.
Altogether, 207 farmers attended the training programmes.
Pest management inputs including 3000 kg of wheat bran under TSP to Kiphire village farmers, 2000 kg poultry feeds to farmers of Kepongya ward and 2000 Vanarja chicks to farmers of Thsingar village were given away by Senti Longchar, DHO of Kiphire; Chubitho, assistant conservator of forest, Kiphire; and Nzanthung Yanthan, district fishery officer.
Awareness on rainwater harvesting
As part of Mission Life activity, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Phek, organised an awareness programme on rainwater harvesting and its efficient use in agriculture at NICRA adopted village Pfutseromi on May 31.
Farmers from Kikruma and Pfutseromi villages are seen attending an awareness programme on rainwater harvesting on May 31.
An update from KVK Phek stated that a lecture on awareness on climate resilient crop and foxtail millet was delivered by Dr. Hannah K Asangla, CTO Agronomy. She spoke on the importance and the need to revive foxtail millet cultivation because of its high nutritive values and to meet the market demands.
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A topic on rainwater harvesting and its efficient uses for agricultural purposes was discussed by emphasising on Jalkund and micro-irrigation for winter crops, spring sheds and importance of ground water recharge.
Veralu Hesuh, YP II, delivered a lecture on management of fall army worm (FAW) and elaborated on the management aspects of the pest.
A total of 40 farmers from Kikruma and Pfutseromi attended the programme.