Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) has been conducting activities for welfare of farming community in various blocks.
Noksen block: ATMA Tuensang, Noksen block conducted training, demonstration and field day programme from March 10 to 11 at Yimrup village.
A press release from ATMA Tuensang stated that resource persons of the programme were Suponglemla Chang (BTM), Wetosangla (ATM) and Tangekeiba (ATM) Noksen block who trained the participants on various topics covering coffee plantation, fish pond management, nursery bed preparation, air-layering techniques and post-harvest management of ginger.
Meanwhile, field day on cardamom cultivation was also conducted by resource person Tangekeiba (ATM). In a separate programme revolving fund and seed money were deposited to Khangen FSG, Sangjen FSG, Samya SHG and Khanoung SHG through direct benefit transfer (DBT). 24 farmers participated along with ATMA functionaries.
Akuhaito block: ATMA Akuhaito block organized training and demonstration at Aizuto village on February 26. A press release from Akuhaito block stated that, training on “Importance of small holder farmers on saving, accessing credit and effectively managing money for improved livelihood” was conducted by Kaiho Achumi ATM. Demonstration on “cultivation practices of pole beans” was discussed by Atoshe agri inspector Akulto block who stated that pole beans can help farmers achieve additional income. A total of 25 SHG farmers attended the training, followed by feedback, discussion and distribution of seeds. ATMA Akuhaito Zunheboto also organised a within district farmers’ exposure visit-cum-training programme under the topic “vegetable production under changing climate scenario in respect to Zunheboto district” on March 3 at KVK Lumami. Dr Rakesh senior scientist and head KVK Lumami suggested some low-cost technologies that farmers can adopt. Dr Visakho discussed on global warming, while Dr Toshi deliberated on the protection of crops during insect and pest attacks and also suggested measures that can control them.
Dr Kundan discussed some formulations that can help the farmers in production of organic resources for their field crops. Earlier, Kaiho Achumi, ATM Akuhaito block chaired the programme and Chubatsur BTM Zunheboto delivered vote of thanks. A total of 14 farmers attended the training programme.
Philimi village: Akuhaito block also organized training and demonstration on February 27, at Philimi village. Training on “vegetable production under changing climate scenario” was discussed by ATM Kaiho Achumi who stated that due to climate change there was an impact in cultivation and productivity of locally available vegetables in the district. Demonstration on “cultivation practices of pencil beans” was discussed by DPA IFAD Akangtula Jamir. A total of 20 farmers attended the training which was followed by feedback, discussion and distribution of seeds.
Akuluto block: ATMA Zunheboto, Akuluto block, conducted training at Zaphu on February 29. ATM, Joseph Awomi, spoke on topic packages and practice of tomato cultivation and highlighted brief account on its cultivation. He also stressed on climatic requirement, soil, seed rate, time of planting etc. Seeds of tomato were also distributed to farmers. Altogether 10 farmers were benefitted from the programme.
Dhansiripar block: ATMA-Dimapur under Dhansiripar block conducted field day, demonstration and joint visit programme on February 28, with resource person Lireni Kikon, ACTO (plant protection) KVK, Dimapur demonstrating the farmers on use of yellow sticky trap for monitoring pests like aphids, thrips. One-day demonstration on transplanting of king chilli was conducted for the farmers of Singrijan village by ATMA Dimapur under Dhansiripar block on February 29, at Singrijan village. Resource person ATM Viketouzo, enlightened the farmers by saying that king chilli had huge scope for its cultivation and value addition in rural areas. Field demonstration on king chilli was conducted. The demonstration concluded with discussions which were attended by 10 farmers. King chilli seedlings were also distributed to the participants.
Tsaru block: Tsaru block Tuensang, conducted field day, mobilization of food security groups (FSGs), trainings and demonstrations at Longkhetpeh village on February 28. Resource persons were BTM, Dr. T. Arenmongla, ATM, Khatemenla and ATM, Imlinukshi. Khatemenla. T Arenmongla, also gave a demonstration on pit digging and spacing of banana and cultivation techniques of garlic. Mobilization of FSGs was also conducted, where 2 new FSGs under the nomenclature “Zikeh FSG” from Longkhetpeh village and “Mujangcheh FSG” from Tonglongsor village were mobilized and revolving fund were deposited through direct benefit transfer (DBT). Seed money was also given to Threzeh SHG, Tonglongsor village and Ajengcho SHG, Trongar village through DBT. Field day on cardamom cultivation was also conducted. Inputs such as trichocards and neem oil were distributed to the farmers after the programme. A total of 20 farmers along with ATMA officials attended the programme.
Chetheba block: ATMA Chetheba block, conducted various programmes at Khulazu Bawe and Chesezu Nasa village on February 26 and 27. Resource persons, ATM, Raveyi, trained on animal husbandry, while ATM, Dzuthozo, demonstrated on paddy seed treatment with biofertilizer, yellow sticky trap and organic pesticides. Field day was also conducted on Kiwi fruit plantation at Khulazu Bawe, where 18 farmers attended.
Medziphema block: ATMA Dimapur, Medziphema block organized a training programme on “package of practices of pigeon pea” on February 29 at KVK training hall, Jharnapani. Resource person Dr. Lowrence Kithan, scientist (agronomy), AICRP-SASRD, NU, Medziphema highlighted on the different schemes, policies and activities for the farmers. Block farmers advisory committee (BFAC) meeting for ATMA Medziphema block was conducted, where Chubanaro Jamir briefly highlighted on the roles and objectives of the BFAC members and also briefed them on the ongoing block activities. A short clip on integrated farming system composed by ATMA Dimapur was shown to the farmers. Hands on demonstration on line sowing of okra (bhindi) were also conducted by Dr. Lowrence at Kukidolong village. Altogether 19 participants attended the training programme.
Sechü Zubza block: ATMA Sechü Zubza block conducted a field day-cum-demonstration on kholar and green pea cultivation at Kiruphema on February 27. Resource person, Keviravono Visa, ATM, discussed about the method of cultivation practices of kholar and green pea. Frontline demonstration of preparing the land and sowing of the seeds was done followed by the participants which numbered to 12 farmers together sowed the seeds which was distributed to them. Kajini Isabella Zinyu, BTM, briefed the participants about ATMA. Sechü block also conducted two demonstrations on February 26 at Khonoma. Seeds were distributed to the participants.
Medziphema and Dhansiripar blocks: Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Medziphema and Dhansiripar block, under Dimapur district, organized farmers exposure visit on March 5, at Pristine Foods, an enterprise managed by Food Technologist, Er. Puteu Phesao, located at Chumukedima, Dimapur. During the visit, farmers were trained on utilization and processing of locally produced fruits and vegetables such as ginger, gooseberry, star fruit, wild apple, jamun, pomelo etc and process them into candy, dried products and squash.Team also visited piggery breeding unit. Altogether 24 farmers attended the training programme.
Suruhuto block: ATMA Suruhuto block, Zunheboto, organised training and demonstration on March 5 at Sapoti village. Resource person, BTT convenor, Qhenito Yeptho, highlighted concept of nursery seedbed in coffee plantation which required good canopy for healthy germination and aids good watershed management. On March 6 at Zhekuto village, BTM, Livika, demonstrated on “Organic production of French bean” on nursery seedbed. Training on “Zero Budget Natural Farming- Jeevamrit” was delivered by ATM, Moanenla. A total of 35 farmers benefitted during the two days of training programme. Suruhuto block also organised training and demonstration at Phuye Old on February 24 and 25. ATM, Kanato Sumi, explained benefits of using bio-fertilizers as an organic approach to improve soil fertility, structure and leading to enhance productivity. ATM, Ika Kinnimy demonstrated on drip irrigation, using automatic plant watering spike drip irrigation device.
A total of 12 farmers from Phuye Old attended the training and demonstration.
Aghunaqa block: ATMA Dimapur, Aghunaqa block, conducted training and demonstration programme at Goshito village on March 6. Resource person, BTM, Vinatoli, spoke on value addition of ginger and highlighted importance of value added products, manufacturing and marketing. ATM, Mikato, discussed about Integrated Pest Managemant (IPM), its principles and its applications. Altogether 25 farmers from Goshito and Hozheto village attended the programme.
Niuland block: ATMA Dimapur, Niuland block, conducted block farmers advisory committee (BFAC)-cum-farmers friend meeting on March 4 at Niuland town. Committee members were apprised on activities to be undertaken for the 3rd instalment of 2019-20 and suggestions and problems faced were duly recorded. BTM, Demalu Hasnusa, presented progress report on block activities conducted in previous instalments.
ATMA Longleng: ATMA Longleng, conducted farmers interstate training at horticultural and plantation crops research station, Kahikuchi, Assam from February 26 to 29. Participants were trained on production technology of various horticultural and plantation crops.
Chief scientist and resource person for the programme Dr. Sakia, highlighted importance and benefits of marketing aspects of various commercial and high value crops for cost effective production. Participants further toured important historical places of Guwahati city and visited Brahmaputra River, zoo, and parks in and around the city. Altogether, 11 farmer friends from Longleng, Tamlu, and Sakshi blocks, participated in the training along with officials of ATMA Longleng.