State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) organised a two-day training program on “soil health management & soil conservation practices” for ATMA functionaries at SAMETI, Medziphema from October 23 to 24.
A press release by the director of SAMETI Medziphema stated that resource persons for the training were Er. Limasunep, deputy director and T. Mar Longkumer, Soil Health and Water Conservation, Kohima.
The participants were also taken for a field visit to bio-control lab, agri-chemistry lab and bio-fertilizer lab under IETC Medziphema.
Dr. Beremjungla, lecturer and in-charge of bio-control lab gave a tour of the labs and educated the trainees on the functioning and activities undertaken by the bio-control and agri-chemistry labs. Yavikhotou Machieo, AFA bio-fertilizer, briefed the participants on the workings of the bio-control lab.
The valedictory function was chaired by Sentinaro Longchar, DPD SAMETI, while feedback on the training was given by Martin Joror, BTM, Phek and Azungla Longchar, BTM Zunheboto.
In her valedictory address, Dr. Beremjungla remarked that in the North-East, despite being a culturally and naturally well endowed region, crop and livestock productivity were still lagging behind other regions of the country, owing to adherence to primitive and exploitative cultivation practices. She mentioned that soil was the most precious asset for farmers and hence, they needed to be educated about the health of their soil.
On the whole, the training saw a good turnout of participants from all districts of the state and concluded with distribution of certificates to the participants by Dr. Beremjungla. A vote of thanks was pronounced by Tiajungla Longchar.
The training covered topics on collection of soil sampling, soil testing, importance of plant nutrition, Soil pH, reclamation of acid soils, land capability classification, soils of Nagaland, water related problems in the state, and soil conservation practices.