A one-day farmers’ training on “agricultural crop production technology” was organised by the department of agriculture, Tuensang, for different Self-Help Groups (SHGs) on May 28. A press release by the office of the Sub Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO) Tuensang stated that, while addressing the SHGs participants as a special guest, Sub Divisional Officer (SDO, Civil) Tuensang, Sentilong Ozukum, highlighted the important role of women in bringing about transformation in farming system through their active participation.
Ozukum encouraged the women SHGs to take up agriculture as a means to support their family and livelihood. He further deliberated on how Nagas’ culture and traditions are rooted through agriculture.
Delivering the keynote address, District Agriculture Officer (DAO) Tuensang, T. Supongmar Longchar, highlighted the farmers about the objectives of the training. He said the training aimed to improve farmers’ knowledge of modern agricultural crop production, and preparedness for potential pest outbreaks.
Lonchar encouraged farmers to adopt agriculture as a lucrative sector for income generation for sustaining and uplifting their livelihood. He also spoke on the topic, “introduction to different cropping systems”, highlighting the advantages of alder-based farming systems and intercropping in jhum fields.
SDAO Tuensang, Wongto Chingmak, deliberated on production technology under agricultural crops, emphasising quality seed selection, organic pest management and intercultural operation.
Participants were also highlighted on topics such as, “management of fall army worm” and “rodent pest management” by Agriculture Field Assistant (AFA), Chaangsunny, and Agricultural Inspector (AI), Tangekeiba respectively.
The technical session was chaired by Agriculture Officer (AO), Moameren, while a vote of thanks was delivered by AFA, Bangbe. Altogether, 40 farmers along with departmental officials attended the day-long training programme.