Dimapur, May 12 (EMN): A three-day training programme on the topic of post-harvest management and marketing of pineapple, was held from May 7 to the 9th at the Incubation Centre of the School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD) at Medziphema.
The training was organized and sponsored by the SASRD and the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) of Guwahati, a press release from the organisers informed.
The inauguration of the training was on May 7. Prof. T Lanusosang, pro vice chancellor, was the 'special guest' of the function.
During the course of the training programme nine speakers from various organizations and departments gave presentations on various topics related to post-harvest management and marketing.
As part of "practical exposure," the press release explained, the participants were taken for a field trip to an organic pineapple farm, owned by a Lethang, at Molvom village.
There he gave a demonstration, the updates stated, while the participants also took part in pineapple cleaning/cutting activities and a 'presentation competition.'
Further, a "practical demonstration" on preparation of ready-to-serve pineapple jam and pineapple squash was also conducted at the post-harvest laboratory of the dept. of Horticulture at SASRD.
Lithrongla Chishi, commissioner-secretary of the department of Industries & Commerce, was invited as one of the speakers. She was invited to talk about schemes for post-harvest management and marketing of fruit crops, for the final day of the programme ie., on the 9th of May.
Also, the government officer took active part in discussions concerning the strategies and way forward for the pineapple industry in Nagaland.
"The discussion was useful to the farmers and the other participants in understanding the different initiatives undertaken by the government and also helped clarify some of the doubts and questions raised during the course of the open discussion," the press release stated.
The open discussion was followed by a short valedictory programme, which was attended by B.Sc. (Ag.) IV year experiential learning students and a host of teachers and other staff of the institution.
'Lithrongla Chishi encouraged and challenged the students and other participants to be the engine (sic) for change needed in today’s Naga Society for Nagaland to prosper and develop,' the press release stated.
A total of 19 participants hailing from Molvom village, Bungsang village; Dimapur and Medziphema attended the training program, the updates added.