Nagaland University conducts farmer trainingon advanced fruit production

ICAR–All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Fruits, Department of Horticulture, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus, organised a farmer training programme on advanced fruit production under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) at Biesumpuikam village, Peren district, on February 4.
The programme was held under the guidance of Project In-charge, Prof. C. S. Maiti, with expert resource persons in fruit science, Dr. Animesh Sarkar and Dr. Kuruba Ajay Kumar, delivering technical lectures and practical demonstrations.
Dr. Sarkar presented a detailed session on pineapple cultivation, covering climate and soil requirements, field preparation, planting systems, spacing, manures and fertilizers, weed management, mulching and harvesting. Practical demonstrations were conducted to aid farmer understanding.
Dr. Kumar explained special cultural practices in banana such as bunch feeding and covering, along with measures to improve fruit quality and yield. He also highlighted major diseases and pests including Sigatoka leaf spot and rhizome weevil, supported with photographic illustrations.
Both experts later discussed litchi cultivation, addressing issues of fruit cracking, fruit drop, pest infestation and rejuvenation practices. Queries on citrus crops were also taken up, with explanations on granulation disorder linked to nutrient deficiency and irregular irrigation, and awareness created on citrus decline management.
The programme saw participation of 30 farmers, with active involvement in the interactive session. The village chairman expressed gratitude for the training, while special mention was made of Aroro Nguillo for her role in farmer mobilisation and support activities.