EMN
Dimapur, February 25
As a result of threats posed by wild elephants, farmers in a village in Wokha now are being forced to explore alternative farming systems. A workshop about on alternative and alternated-farming systems was organised by the Hammock Resort group on February 22 in the conference hall of Hammock Resort near Wokha town.
Chairperson, Dr. Chumben murry delivered the welcome address. He highlighted the importance of the programme initiated solely for the effected group of people or the district as a whole by the wild elephants and how different approaches can be adopted in order to sustain livelihood. It is the need of the hour as most fields have been damaged and crop loss is a major crisis both in terms of sustainability and economy, he said.
Resource person, Peter Yanthan, the district Agriculture Officer of Wokha spoke in brief about the habitats, behaviour, food habits and nature of elephants. He spoke in detail about how to avoid elephants. He pointed out that in order to get a solution one should study and understand the problem. ‘Elephants avoid certain crops like chilli, ginger, pepper, turmeric, oilseeds, cocoa, tea and fruit trees like mango and lemon. Proper planning with such crop reduces the risk of damage. Elephants are also afraid of bees. The buzzing of bees repels the elephants thus avoiding areas infested by bees,‘ he said.
‘Resorting to bee keeping in an around the field parameters not only keeps away the mammals but ensure additional income to the farmers. Elephants are intelligent and have territorial consciousness. Smearing urines of other elephants on the bark of trees warns the elephants of other herds in that area forcing them to change routes hence avoiding such areas,’ he added.
To ensure our safety and protect our fields such practices can be worked out, the officer said.
Resource person, District Horticulture Officer of Wokha Kilemsungba Ao spoke on the importance of resorting to ‘antiviolence’ when it comes to avoiding the elephants. ‘Elephants have a strong memory and have revenge tendency. As such when people try violent ways forcing them to retreat, causing injury or harm, the consequences are more destructive, resulting to huge losses. Therefore it is important to follow non violent approaches such as creating noises, creating sounds, using beehives fences, growing crops the elephants avoid as mentioned,’ He said.
He also stressed on the use of black pepper in the field or orchards or plantation areas which not only repel elephants but also offer great market value with additional health benefits, Ao explained.
Dr. Mhonlumi Tsopoe, poultry farm manager with the Veterinary department spoke about animal husbandry as an alternative farming system. She spoke on the various aspects of rearing animals, market value, health value and economic uplift of the local economy through the system. She stressed on the importance of poultry, piggery and cattle rearing.
‘Meat demand in our area is very high yet production meets only half of our requirement. Hence, taking up animal husbandry at a large scale may be a better option for the people in view of the present situation while ensuring adequate supply to our needs,’ she added.
Fishery officer Mhomo Murry spoke on the importance of integrated farming system, a system where one can obtain maximum benefit from different components. As an alternate farming system approach relating to the present issue, integrated farming system has a great advantage since the system incorporates agricultural crops, animal husbandry, fishery etc in a particular area. He explained that one should undertake proper planning based on resources and threats which he said would ensure success of the system and a sustainable future.
Community leaders and farmers present in the event interacted with the officials and discussed about what best they can do to ‘make the elephants retreat.’ The local populations are facing imminent danger as the elephants are approaching closer causing mass destruction to the fields, they stated.
