Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) has been conducting various agri and allied activities, specifically to increase farming knowledge among farmers in the state. Following are some reports of the agency’s activities.
Medziphema Block: ATMA, Dimapur, Medziphema Block in collaboration with KVK (ICAR), Jharnapani conducted a demonstration programme on the topic “Cultivation of Ginger (Nadia)” and “Seed treatment with biopesticide” at Medziphema village on May 1 with Lireni Kikon, SMS (Plant Protection), KVK (ICAR) as the resource person.
A press release from ATMA Medziphema Block said that the resource person first gave an introduction on the varieties of ginger and said that ginger was one of the oldest spices with a distinct flavour and pungency.
Lireni Kikon demonstrated and explained in detail how to prepare the field with minimum tillage operation and bed preparation with proper spacing. The SHG members were advised to go for large scale production of ginger and not only for self consumption. She also spoke on the economic value of ginger and encouraged the women farmers to pursue preparation of ginger candy and sweets in the future.
Later, “Seed treatment with Biopesticides” was demonstrated using Bio-Time — a talc based biopesticide containing aggressive strains of entomopathogenic fungi and highlighted its benefits in controlling various types of insect pests and soil borne diseases. She elaborated on application methods and also gave a hands on demonstration on seed treatment.
The programme was chaired by Chubanaro Jamir, BTM, Medziphema block and keynote address was given by James Kikon, ACTO, KVK (ICAR) & BTT Convener (ATMA), Medziphema block. Seventy Five kilograms of ginger rhizomes were distributed to the SHG members.
Chizami block: ATMA Phek Chizami block inaugurated a Kiwi farm school on May 1 at Chizami village. Zevosenuo Rutsa, BTM Chizami block, gave a brief on the farm school concept where she said that the main aim was to motivate farmers and educate them on scientific farming technologies.
In line with the farm school, a post harvest management of kiwi fruit training was conducted with ATM, Sibino Dolie. She deliberated on the various steps involved in post harvest management. Kezutshutso Wezah was appointed as the farm school teacher. He shared his experiences and briefly highlighted the management practices that he carried out in his farm and also spoke about his future plans for the farm school. The programme was followed by an interactive session between the farmers and farm school teacher. The inauguration team members include Zevosenuo Rutsa BTM, Sibino Dolie ATM and Viewotso Koza ATM. Altogether 26 participants attended the programme.
Tening Block: In view of the Kishan Kalyan Karyashalas, ATMA staff of Tening Block, Peren carried out a training and demonstration of mushroom cultivation in Dobashi Hall, Tening town on May 2 along with a mixed workshop comprising of joint initiatives from Department of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture and Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry wherein 44 farmers attended the workshop.
ATMA Tening block said that the officials included Dr. E. Kepfoh, district livestock development officer, Peren, Yezaho Swu, dy. project director ATMA Peren, Takosunep, horticulture extension assistant, Tening. The training included practical hands-on demonstration of mushroom cultivation as well as explanation of the technical aspects of mushroom cultivation which was delivered by resource person Pezavitso Haralu, ATM, Tening block. Several farmers participated in the training during the live demonstration. Another technical session was handled by department of Horticulture and a vaccination camp by Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry vaccinated 20 animals.
Meluri block: ATMA Meluri block, Phek conducted a training and demonstration on May 3-4 at Khumaisu and Meluri villages respectively with ATMs Meluri block, Kelvin Khamo and Khriebelie Peinyu as resource persons.
A press release by ATMA Meluri block stated that bokashi, chilli garlic paste and mushroom cultivation demonstrations were shown.
The resource persons pointed out that bokashi was a very good source of organic fertilizers which could be made with raw materials easily available and was of great benefit for farmers.
Training on cabbage and king chilli cultivation was also imparted to the farmers. K Rhuchi FSG group was formed in Khumaisu village and a paddy farm school was inaugurated in Meluri Village. Vegetable seeds and mushroom spawns were distributed to the farmers.
Khonsa Block: ATMA Kiphire, Khonsa Block conducted training & demonstration programme on May 3 to 5, at Khonsa Town,Khonsa Village, Thanamir and Salomi Village under the training theme “Low cost water harvesting in hilly region.” And two demonstration theme “Inter-cropping of maize,beans and pumpkin.”And “Pruning in Apple farming.”
A press release from ATMA Kiphire said that the programme was conducted by Samuel, chairperson was Jess T. Murry BTM of Khonsa block, and the event was attended by a total of 90 farmers. Resource person for the training was Benjongtoshi. He emphasised on the importance of water harvesting during the monsoon seasons and talked about the steps involved in the jalkund method of water harvesting.
For the demonstration programme, the resource person was Takutoshi Jamir. He,highlighted the importance on adopting one of the inter-cropping methods commonly known as “The Three Sisters’ Cultivation”, where the upright element is traditionally corn. In terms of timing, it is important that the upright crop has a two to three-week head start if it is to serve as a good support for vigorous beans. The squash family of crops, because it needs maximum light to avoid growth delays, squash or pumpkins are planted on the outer edges of a three sisters’ garden, where they form a dense ground cover.
Sechü-Zubza block: ATMA Sechü-Zubza block inaugurated a farm school on integrated farming on May 4 at Zubza, Kohima district. The farm school, belonging to a progressive farmer, Petevi Meyase, is situated at Zachakha, at a distance of 3 km from Zubza.
A press release by ATMA Kohima ATM, Ketsivino Nakhro stated that during the inaugural programme, a demonstration on integrated crop management was shown to the participants by ATM, Keviravono Visa. Bearing in mind the importance and advantages of multiple cropping, she explained the different types of intercropping and also gave examples of fruit crops that could be intercropped.
The farm school teacher also shared his experiences and motives in starting the farm five years ago and wished to make it a model farm and a ‘happening place’ for the villagers.
Meanwhile, another demonstration on hybrid maize cultivation and insect pest management in maize was conducted by ATM, Ketsivino Nakhro followed by distribution of hybrid maize (HQPM-1 & HQPM-5) seeds to the farmers.
Altogether 13 participants along with the functionaries attended the programme.
Anjangyang block: ATMA Mon Anjangyang block conducted trainings and demonstration programmes covering Angphang, Jakphang and Ukha villages on May 4-5.
A press release by ATMA Mon stated that farmers and various SHGs were trained on special packages and practices of yard long beans, coriander, okra and maize.
Various demonstration programmes on low cost preparation of vermi composting unit, production technology of oyster mushroom, dhaincha (green manuring) and dish wash preparation were conducted at Angphang and Ukha village.
A special demonstration plot on mixed cropping with special reference to green manuring (dhaincha) was introduced at Jakphang village. A Food Security Group (FSG) was also formed at Jakphang village with 13 women farmers.
Meanwhile, Block Farmers Advisory Committee (BFAC) was also conducted at Ukha junction. The ATMA team highlighted various agendas in the meeting while discussions on various farming activities to be undertaken at block level were taken up.
The ATMA team was led by BTM Nemchaba Jamir and the resource persons were ATM, Leiwang Konyak, ATM, Longrikaba and ATM, Nyakba Konyak. Dish wash kits, mushroom spawn and seeds were distributed to the participants.
Dhansiripar Block: ATMA Dimapur, Dhansiripar block organised a vegetable farm joint field visit and demonstration programme on May 8 at Khriezephe and Urra villages respectively with AICRP (VC), NU;SASRD scientist, Dr. Waluniba and BTM, Moainla as the resource persons.
A press release from ATMA Dimapur, Dhansiripar block stated that the vegetable farm was visited to increase the farmers’ and agriculture extension workers’ awareness on improved technologies for sustainable farming. Dr. Waluniba highlighted to the farmers how organic farming is gaining importance in the farming community and the scope of vegetable farming in Nagaland. He also advised the farmers to adopt proper package of practices of vegetable crops with the help of extension functionaries and to be aware of the pest and disease prevalence in the field.
Demonstration on ginger rhizome seed treatment with Trichoderma was also conducted for the Food Security Group with BTM, Moainla as the resource person. Altogether 12 women farmers attended the programme. Ginger rhizome and maize seeds were also distributed to the members.