Training on “Scientific cultivation practices of apple & its post harvest management” at Thanamir village was conducted by district administration Pungro in collaboration with Central Institute of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Family Welfare, Medziphema, Dimapur, and with the assistance of Department of Development of Underdeveloped Areas (DUDA) on April 28.
Training coordinator & asst. horticulturist, CIH, Shisarenla Aier gave a power-point presentation on production technology of apples, propagation techniques, training and pruning and grafting techniques. During an interaction with the farmers, common pest infections and Apple diseases were identified as the main reasons for decreased production and premature death of apple trees.
Resource person dwelt on the importance of the use of integrated pest management and use of organic pesticides along with weed management techniques to control pest infection and to increase the yield of apples. Other topics like grafting method and propagation of root stock methods were discussed.
Post harvest specialist, CIH, Manzar Hossian imparted training on the importance of value addition in apples and demonstrated the preparation of apple juice and apple chutney to the trainees.
The chairperson of the programme, SDO (C) Pungro, Chonpenthung Ezung encouraged trainees to take up apple production as a challenge for long term prospect and economic viable alternative source of income.
He also made an appeal to the concerned department to take up the apple project in Thanamir on a mission mode. Around 70 Apple growers and all the village council members of Thanamir village attended the programme.