DIMAPUR — The
Office of the Senior Scientist and Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Tuensang,
under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, in collaboration with
the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE),
Hyderabad, and the State Agricultural Management and Training Institute
(SAMETI), Nagaland, organised a six-day skill training of rural youth (STRY)
programme on the topic of integrated pest management (IPM).
According to an update, the programme commenced on December
2 at the training hall of KVK Tuensang and concluded on December 7.
The primary objective of the programme was to provide
modular skill training opportunities to rural youth, including farmers, based
on local needs and to develop a pool of skilled manpower capable of performing
both farm and non-farm operations.
The inaugural programme was chaired by Dr. Temjennungsang,
while the keynote address was delivered by the course director, Kerukuolie Michael
Pienyii.
In his speech, Pienyii emphasised the need to reduce the use
of chemical pesticides due to their harmful effects on the environment. He
highlighted that, although insect pests pose a significant threat to crop
production and productivity, they can be effectively managed through various
IPM methods.
Also speaking at the programme, Dr. Pijush Kanti Biswas,
senior scientist and head, urged the trainees to adopt IPM techniques for pest
control, emphasising that these methods are both eco-friendly and economically
viable.
The programme concluded with the distribution of
biopesticides and IPM kits. A total of 15 youths from Chingmelen and Kuthur
villages participated in the training. Certificates were awarded to the
trainees by the Pienyii and the course coordinator, Longma Yanger.
