Workshop on orange and banana cultivation held in Kohima for Mima village beneficiaries

DIMAPUR — A one-day capacity-building workshop on horticulture, with a special focus on orange and banana cultivation, was organised on Tuesday at the Office of the District Horticulture, Kohima.

The training was organised for livelihood beneficiaries (Community Conservation Area) of Mima village (batch II) under the Forest and Biodiversity Management in the Himalayas, Nagaland, Kohima Forest Division, according to an update.

Speaking as the resource person, Mhasizotuo Yashu, Horticulture Inspector, gave a demonstration on the safe application of organic fertilisers, which are essential for protecting the overall health and growth of plants.

He also stressed the importance of the appropriate mixture of fertilisers and water, thus allowing the plant to absorb the nutrients and prevent insect attack.

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Highlighting orange cultivation, Yashu said that orange is a highly efficient and exhaustive crop which requires high maintenance. He also demonstrated raising oranges via grafting, adding that through this process, the tree will bear fruit within three to four years; however, trees grown through grafting have a shorter juvenile phase. He added that planting oranges from seeds will bear fruit after five to seven years.

Talking about the value of saplings, he said that saplings grown through grafting may cost around INR 50 to INR 100 per sapling, while saplings grown from seeds may cost around INR 20 each. He also gave a demonstration on banana cultivation, with the correct use of organic fertilisers to ensure proper growth.

He encouraged the participants not to use pesticides, as the village is known for beekeeping practices. He, however, said that fertilisers which are organic will help in the growth of orange plantations.

R Chumben Patton, Assistant Horticulture Officer, stressed that for orange cultivation, 18 feet spacing has to be maintained for its proper growth and maintenance.

Observing that most of the orange plantations are being taken up on sloped land, he emphasised to the participants that they should opt for half-moon terracing, which will improve water retention, reduce erosion, and boost crop productivity.

He encouraged cutting the top portion of the orange tree after five to six months of planting to promote good health. He maintained that ensuring a proper pit size for plantation, along with local manures, is vital for the successful establishment and productivity of plants.

During the training, orange saplings and organic fertilisers were also distributed to the community members. Altogether, 48 participants from Mima village took part in the training.