Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) is a society of key stakeholders involved in agricultural activities for sustainable agricultural development in the district. It is a focal point for integrating Research and Extension activities and decentralising day to day management of the public Agricultural Technology System (ATS). It is a registered society responsible for technology dissemination at the district level.
Following are some reports of its activities as reported by the agency.
ATMA Phek, Weziho block: ATMA Phek, Weziho block conducted training and demonstration programs at Yisi and Shatuza Village on December 7, 2018.
According to a press release by BTM, ATMA, Weziho block, T Sanchibeni Humtsoe, she demonstrated package and practices of oyster mushroom cultivation, where preparation of substrate from paddy straw and filling it in a poly bag with uniform sprinkling of spawn over the straw was shown. She also encouraged participants to take up mushroom cultivation to meet their dietary requirements and for additional income. Spawns of Oyster mushrooms and poly bags were distributed to participants.
A training and demonstration program on Integrated Pest Management in winter crops was conducted by ATM Weziho block, Nuzo, at Yisi Village who highlighted the importance of careful evaluation of each pest infestation and understanding of the life cycle of pests, possible damage, natural enemies etc before implementing a control plan. Some mechanical management of pests like: preparation and setting up of yellow sticky traps, cardboard plant collars, pruning and raking etc were demonstrated to participants.
In the later part of the training, two farmers group from Yisi and Shatuza village were mobilized and they were briefed about the purpose and benefits of working together in groups by BTM Weziho block, Sanchibeni Humtsoe.
On December 8, 2018, the team then visited Kuzatü and Hutsü villages and conducted various activities. Nuzo, ATM Weziho block conducted ‘Training & demonstration on cultivation practices of banana” where he highlighted ideal conditions for growing bananas including Agro-climatic requirements, soil condition and availability of water. He also highlighted the importance of crop rotation of banana with other crops like sugarcane, paddy etc to help regain soil fertility and to ensure vitality. Participants were also shown how to prepare banana pits.
A Banana farm school was inaugurated at Kuzatü village under Weziho block on December 8 with Akenuo as farm school teacher. Three farmer groups from Kuzatü and Hutsü villages were also mobilized.
ATMA Wokha inter-state farmers’ training: ATMA Wokha organized an interstate farmers training program at Green Biotech EcoSolutions, Imphal in Manipur from December 11 to 15, 2018. The program emphasized on organic farming practices including pests and disease control organically.
A press release by deputy project director, ATMA, Wokha, Yanglen Y Jami stated that the resource persons for the trainings were: director, Geetashori Yumnam; co-director, Dr Asem Sundari Devi; operation manager, Chirom Menaa; technical head of mushroom unit, Dipachandra Loitongbam; and APO MOVCDNER department of Agriculture Manipur, K. Nimaichand Singh.
The farmers were imparted trainings on organic farming practices and management, Better Efficacy Effective Micro-organisms (BEEM), technology for livestock management, BOKA-C making, aquaculture management, heap composting, mushroom spawn production and its cultivation, bio pest, diseases, fungal and virus control, etc., through theory session and practical demonstrations with feedback and interactions. Farmers were also shown around some of the important places located in Imphal.
The training program was carried out in fulfillment of ATMA cafeteria of activities B. 2.a with participants from farmers of Wokha district and led by two deputy project directors, Yanglen Jami and Subenthung Yanthan.