Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India organised EC meeting of the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) scheme under Science for Equity, Empowerment & Development (SEED), where department officials from Soil & Water Conservation, Nagaland had attended from August 1 to 2 at Guwahati.
A press release from Soil & Water Conservation, Nagaland, SDO Ruokuosietuo stated that, during the session, the department presented a project proposal on “low cost weather station”, at the “Centre of Excellence- State Soil & Water Conservation Training and Research, Sechu” for the benefit of tribal farming communities of the surrounding villages practicing both permanent pani kheti as well as traditional agro forestry kheti.
The proposal based on judicious, efficient and effective land use practices and adaptation of various practices includes installation of two LCWS each for each village, one in the upper and the other in the lower reaches to provide meteorological information online basis and provide immediate advisory SMS information to the farming communities.
This pilot project is being muted to be replicated in other watersheds covering the entire districts of the state especially in the jhum khetis including abundant fallow jhum fields where the farmers are expected to practice agro forestry kheti.
It was presented in the presence of accredited commissioning scientists and experts from various fields, including some having immense knowledge on various traditional, indigenous and endemic farming practices of the North East of India.
The proposal was briefed by joint director & designate OSD, Soil & Water Conservation, K. Khekiho Shohe.