Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) has been conducting a series of activities across the state to benefit the agri and allied sectors.
ATMA Changtongya: ATMA Changtongya block, Mokokchung undertook a series of activities during the month of March and April for farmers on new farming methods applied in modern agricultural farming.
A press release from BTM, ATMA Changtongya block, Temsutula stated that on March 23 ATMA Changtongya block Mokokchung led by the Block Technology Team (BTT) convener Lochumo initiated the formation of a floriculture focus group called Naroyimsen with ten members. Toshirenla Assistant Technology Manager (ATM) was the resource person during short training on the subject matter.
In a similar exercise, on April 7 ATMA Changtongya organized a clinic on organic farming at Kilengmen village, attended by 23 progressive farmers where Dr. Toshimenla BTM Ongpangkong North was the resource person. She underscored the importance of organic farming and demands of organic food items on a global scale.
A capacity programme on king chilly cultivation for a Farmer Interested Group (FIG) – Nukla was also conducted on April 13 at Unger village. Deputy project director ATMA, Mokokchung Rongseninla, as the resource person, gave a field demonstration on king chilly cultivation.
Meanwhile, another farmer training on swine disease management was conducted at Unger village on April 20, with Dr. Aoyimsen from district veterinary department speaking on basic management of piggery, common diseases and their treatment. The training programme was attended by 40 piggery farmers.
ATMA Chuchuyimlang: ATMA Mokokchung Chuchuyimlang block conducted a training programme on April 17 in Chuchuyimlang village.
The programme was chaired by ATM, Lipoktila. Resource person Mapusenla, HEA of Horticulture, trained farmers based on the topic “Post-Harvest Management of Horticultural Crops”, where she educated the farmers on various local cold storage medium construction process, harvesting, sorting and grading, packaging process and jam, pickle, tapioca chips and ginger candy making processes.
During the training Talimeren BFAC member Chuchuyimlang village shared some facts about the constraints, interests and needs of farmers in Chuchuyimlang village and he requested the ATMA team to conduct more trainings in the future. Altogether 25 participants attended the training programme.
ATMA Tseminyu: ATMA Tseminyu block conducted a “Training-cum-Capacity Building on Pig Feeding” at Tseminyu town on April 17 with VAS Tseminyu, Dr. Gwezenlo Tep as resource person.
A press release from BTM Tseminyu block, Vibeilie Joseph Keretsu stated that farmers were briefed on the locally available fodder and agricultural produces for feeding their pigs, so that pigs could attain market weight within minimum time with minimum feeding, supplied with necessary vitamins and mineral mixtures, besides timely de-worming. Farmers were given de-wormers, vitamins and mineral mixtures. All together 20 progressive farmers’ from four villages attended the programme.
ATMA Kohima: ATMA Kohima district conducted an interstate exposure tour to MD Farm, Jorhat for farmers from April 16 to 17.
A press release by ATMA Kohima stated that the tour was organised to expose farmers to innovative technologies for better farm package and practices. During the tour, farm consultant, Samir Bordoloi, briefed the visiting team on the various activities carried out at the farm. He encouraged the farmers to opt for organic production as it has high market value, utilise available resources and to adopt latest farm technologies for higher production.
The team visited various units such as intensive raised beds, vermi composting unit, diary, nursery beds, azolla culture etc. Participants were farmer’s friends (FF) and staffs from ATMA Kohima.
ATMA Zunheboto: A one-day farmer scientist interaction was conducted under ATMA scheme at Soil & Water Conservation Training Center, Zubza on April 12, with Limasenup, deputy director, Rokousieto, SDO, Sivi Mor from department of Soil & Water Conservation as resource persons.
Director of Soil & Water Conservation, Viliehu Nguzhü exhorted the farmers and officials on climate change and ATMA as an agency was committed to transferring their knowledge.
There were eight progressive farmers who participated. Project director K. Khekiho Shohe along with Avitoli. K. Yeptho and Tokato Zhimomi accompanied them with all the BTMs & ATMs from respective blocks. The practical session was on the GPS system of locating latitudes and longitudes.