Dimapur, March 1: A two-day training program on management practices of kiwifruit cultivation for kiwifruit farmers in Phek was conducted on the 27the and 28th of February at Eden Farm, in Zhavame and Thipuzu village.
The training programme was organised under the aegis of the Climate Change Adaptation-North Eastern Region (CCA-NER) project of the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) in collaboration with Eden Farm, a press release from the organizers informed on Saturday.
The programme saw the participation of over 100 kiwifruit farmers from 12 villages, the organizers informed.
Delivering the opening remarks, Kenneth M. Pala, senior technical expert and regional coordinator of the CCA-NER (GIZ) urged the farmers to take steps to equip themselves with the capacity to adapt to the ever-changing climate.
‘Bearing in mind that Climate Change has both a positive and negative angles to it,’ he told the gathering, the farming community need to ‘optimize opportunities which Climate Change brings.’ They were also urged to be ‘prepared to face the challenges arising due to Climate Change.’
Pala thanked the resource persons for their willingness to come forward to help the kiwifruit farmers; Eden Farm for coordinating and making the training a success.
The training sessions included subjects of soil and water management; practical training on kiwifruit management such pruning, grafting and nursery management.
Also, Rose Rekha Dukru, farmer and co-proprietor of Eden Farm in Zhavame spoke at length about the importance of grading and packaging. She also highlighted the ‘medicinal value’ of kiwifruit and steps to meet the ever-increasing demand for the fruit in the Indian market.
Further, Dr. Rinku Bharali, assistant chief technical officer of horticulture, KVK of Phek, provided the much required technical advice on kiwifruit cultivation to the farmers. The training session on both the days ended with interactive sessions on ‘challenges and way forward,’ the organisers added.
