Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), a society of key stakeholders involved in agricultural activities for sustainable agricultural development in the district has been continuing its efforts to bring the latest farming technology and methods to farmers. Following are some reports of its activities from across Nagaland.
Medziphema block: ATMA Dimapur Medziphema block conducted a within district farmers training program on November 14 at KVK training hall where Lireni Kikon, SMS (Plant Protection), KVK (ICAR) Jharnapani spoke on the topic “Integrated pest management in winter vegetables and pulses” and Ch. Roben Singh, ACTO (Agronomy), KVK (ICAR), Jharnapani delivered training on the topic “Package & practices in rabi oilseed crops”.
A press release from BTM Medziphema block, Chubanaro Jamir stated that a brief address was also delivered by V. Kenny Rhetso, CTO (Home Science), KVK (ICAR) Jharnapani. Later a banana farm school was inaugurated at New Chumukedima Village with progressive farmer Keneizelie as the farm school teacher. The concept of farm school and the role of a farm school teacher were highlighted by Chubanaro Jamir. Keynote address was given by Z. James Kikon, ACTO (Soil Science), KVK (ICAR) & BTT convener where he called upon the farmers to work harder. He also encouraged the farmers to share their knowledge and skills with fellow farmers. He also assured the farmers assistance in terms of trainings, demonstrations and capacity building programs. Altogether 41 farmers attended the training and inauguration program where seeds, fertilizers and financial assistance were provided.
Satakha Block: ATMA Satakha Block, conducted training and demonstration programs on November 15 and 16.
A training program on cardamom cultivation was conducted on November 15, at Kiyekhu village with A.I Satakha Mughato Sema along with two ATM’s Lily Tungoe and Wanshom Konyak.
ATM lily was the resource person for the program and she stressed on the importance of site selection, selection of healthy saplings, planting distance, and pit size and disease management of cardamom crop. Altogether 14 farmers attended the training and demonstration program.
Demonstration on line sowing of field pea and nursery bed preparation of tomato was conducted on November 16, at Shoipu village where ATM Wangshom was the resource person. She spoke about the importance of nursery bed preparation of tomato and line sowing of field pea for high yield, disease free and nutrient management, use of trap crops etc.
The program was followed by discussion and seed distribution sessions. A “Fishery Farm School” was also inaugurated at Shoipu village by A.I, Mughato Sema.
Suruhuto block: ATMA, Zunheboto Suruhuto block conducted various trainings and demonstrations on November 15 and 17 at Suruhuto town, Surumi and Yehemi villages.
A press release from, ATMA stated that a fishery farm school was inaugurated at Surumi village on November 15.
During the inauguration program, BTT convenor, Qhenito Yeptho highlighted the concept of farm schools and gave brief managemental techniques on inland fishery. Tokhevi was appointed as farm teacher.
In Suruhuto, a training program on cultivation of oyster mushroom was conducted by BTM, Livika L.Zhimomi, where she enlightened the farmers on how mushroom cultivation could elevate their economic status.
A field demonstration on scientific production for growing garden pea was shown by Moanenla Jamir, ATM on November 17, at Yehemi village.
She imparted to the farmers knowledge about benefits, optimum spacing, seed treatment and application of locally available bio pesticides. To further encourage the farmers’ spawn of oyster mushroom, sprayers, seeds of garden pea were distributed to the farmers.
Altogether 35 farmers along with ATMA officials benefitted from the training program.
Mon block: Training on “Banana Orchard Management” and demonstration on “Grafting and Air layering propagation techniques” were conducted on November 16 and 17, respectively by ATMA Mon block at Hongphoi village.
A press release from ATMA Mon stated that resource persons were ATM Khriezelhou Seyie and ATM Shampa Konyak. On the first day, the farmers were trained on management practices of orchards, such as weeding, desuckering, propping etc. Planting in half moon terraces to prevent soil erosion were also discussed.
The resource person also apprised the farmers on the high nutritive, medicinal and economic value of the fruit.
Meanwhile, propagation of fruit trees by grafting and air layering methods were also taken up and demonstrations were given. Altogether 21 farmers attended the program.
Wakching Block: ATMA Mon, Wakching Block conducted a two-day training and demonstration program on November 16 and 17.
A press release by the ATMA block stated that on November 16, training on cultivation practices of cow pea and demonstration on Silage making for pigs was done at Chingphoi Village. The resource person, ATM, Panchong Konyak also spoke on the importance of silage to mitigate seasonal food shortage. Seeds of cow pea and silage making kits were given to the participating farmers. On November 17, training on cultivation practices of pea and demonstration on production technology of mushroom was carried out at Wanching Village. ATM, Jaitok Phom highlighted the advantages and benefits of mushroom in diet. The program was chaired by BTM, Roseline Pusa, and later seeds of pea and mushroom spawns were given to the participants. Altogether 31 farmers attended and were benefitted from the two-day program.
Ahthibung block: Ahthibung block under ATMA Peren conducted a training program on “Compost making from organic waste” and demonstrated “Oyster mushroom cultivation” and “preparation of ginger candy” at Lilen village on November 16.
A press release from ATMA Peren stated that the resource persons for the program were Lireni Lotha, ATM and Keneingunuo Sorhie, ATM of Ahthibung block. Lireni Lotha trained the farmers on various applicable methods of “compost making from organic waste”, to ensure better use of farm waste and also to cut down fertilizer cost.
During the cultivation of oyster mushroom demonstration, Lireni illustrated procedures and spoke about on strict sanitary measures during the process.
Another step by step demonstration on “Preparation of ginger candy” was illustrated by Keneingunuo Sorhie. She stated that value addition of ginger will add extra income for the family and she also explained the cost benefit ratio of the ginger candy production.
Altogether twenty farmers attended the training, where mushroom spawns and polybags for mushroom cultivation were distributed.
ATMA Peren, Ahthibung block also conducted a training and demonstration program on ‘Oyster Mushroom cultivation’ and ‘Preparation of King chilly pickle’ on November 16 at Panjang village.
A press release from ATMA Ahthibung Block stated that resource person, ATM Ahthibung Block, Lireni Lotha, trained the farmers on Oyster mushroom cultivation. Illustrations on how to prepare substrate from available paddy straw and uniform sprinkling of spawn over the substrate in disinfected polybags was also demonstrated. Further, she encouraged farmers to make use of paddy straw as substrate for mushroom cultivation.
Considering the large scale cultivation of King Chilly at Phanjang village and its demand in the market both locally and outside, another demonstration on the preparation of king chilly pickle was initiated by ATM Ahthibung Block, Keneingunuo Sorhie, where she illustrated the methodology in value addition to king Chilly.
Altogether 21 farmers attended the program, where they were made known about the benefits of mushroom cultivation and value addition of king chilly as an income and employment generating crop. After the training, mushroom spawns, poly bags, spices for pickle and packaging materials were distributed to the farmers.
Niuland block: ATMA Dimapur, Niuland block showed demonstrations of seed bed preparation of winter vegetables and direct sowing methods of field pea at Hozukhe village for women farmers of “Aloino SHG” on November 16.
A press release from ATMA Dimapur ATM Niuland block, Nzamo Kikon stated that resource person ATM Niuland block, Sentibenla, demonstrated the procedures for setting up a nursery and sowing field peas and highlighted methods of proper spacing, application of farm manures, irrigation and mulching. The women farmers were also trained on value addition of pomelo fruit as capacity building under mobilization of farmers group by ATM Niuland block, Nzamo Kikon.
In a separate program at Yeveto village on November 17, free anti-rabies vaccination was conducted for canines with VAS Veterinary department, Dr. Vekuto, as the resource person.
Chumoukedima block: ATMA- Dimapur Chumoukedima block conducted a mushroom cultivation training program on November 17 at Nagamese Church in Padumpukhuri, Dimapur.
A press release by Block Technology Manager (BTM), Tiatemsu Ao, stated that the resource person, Neisetuonuo, DHO & BTT convener (ATMA), started with an introduction to mushroom and its importance.
She then told the trainees about requisite materials. Spawned bags should be kept in a room away from direct sunlight for incubation at the ideal temperature between 20 and 30 degree centigrade, she added.
Neisetuonuo said, after three weeks or so the whole substrate should turn white indicating the completion of the spawn run or incubation.
Neisetuonuo added that the first harvest of mushroom can be taken in 5 to7 days of pin head formation.
On an average, 1kg fresh mushroom per bag is harvested during the life cycle of 45 to 60 days.
The BTMs from Chumoukedima who attended the program were — Kezhazelie Peseyie, Tiatemsu Ao, Matsungtoshi N Pongener, Keneisanuo Keditsu, Tzubentula Jamir, along with DHO & BTT convenor (ATMA), Chumoukedima Block, Neiphretuonuo.
The program was chaired by women chairman Nagamese Church, Azungla. A total of 15 trainees participated and received spawns and the program concluded with an interaction.