Dimapur, Dec. 17 (EMN): Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kohima, in association with the State Agriculture Management and Extension Training Institute (Sameti), Medziphema, and the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (Manage), Hyderabad, organised a six-day skill training of rural youth programme on soil health management at its office complex from December 9 to the 15th.
An update from senior scientist and head of KVK Kohima, Dr. Ruokuovilie Mezhatsu, stated that the training programme was sponsored under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Extension (Smae) of National Mission on Agriculture Extension and Technology (Nmaet) from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, government of India. The course director was Zhiete, ACTO (soil conservation) KVK Kohima.
The inaugural programme was chaired by K Michael Pienyü, ACTO (plant protection), while the welcome address was delivered by Dr. Ruokuovilie Mezhatsu, wherein he encouraged the participants to fully utilise the potential of the skill training programme. It stated that the course director Zhiete, in his keynote address, emphasised on the aim and objectives of the training.
During the training, lecture and practical demonstrations were conducted on soil health management under organic farming, significance and application of bio-fertiliser for improving soil health, management of problematic soil with reference to acidic soil condition, managing soil borne insect pest and diseases, soil health management in jhum field and integrated nutrient management in rabi crops.
Besides, demonstration on vermicompost for sustainable agriculture, importance of soil health card, analysis of soil samples by mini soil testing kits and exposure field visit to farming area were undertaken during the skill programme.
At the valedictory function, participants have acknowledged the institute for providing skill and technical knowledge in managing soil for commercial production and sustainable agriculture farming through different methods of soil health management system.
The six-day training programme concluded with the distribution of certificate, vermicompost and bio-fertiliser to all the trainees. A total of 18 participants including students, farmers and entrepreneurs from Nsünyu, Tesophenyu, Ziphenyu, and Tseminyu attended the training.