Various prog and activities organized by ATMA across the state

Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Phek, Wazeho block organized three days trainings and demonstrations on integrated pest management, mixed farming and cultivation of organic vegetable crops at Hutsu, Shatuza and Kuzata villages on February  7, 8 and 9.
In the training and demonstration programme, resource person BTM, Khrievi Tachu emphasized on capacity building, integrated pest management and advantages of mixed farming.
Live demonstration on Banana pit and nursery bed preparation for cabbage cultivation was conducted by ATM, Sinilo Kent.
Practical sessions was followed by chilli, garlic, ginger paste extract and king chilli pickle preparation.
ATM, Nuzo spoke on farmers’ mobilization and advantages of mixed farming, while new women self help group (Mügieyi SHG) was formed at Hutsu village. Seeds and spices were distributed to the farmers. Altogether 89 farmers participated and were benefited throughout the trainings and demonstrations. Farmers were also advised that regular inspection was needed to ensure healthy growth.
ATMA Wokha: Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Wokha organized within state farmers training programme and interstate farmers training programme from February 14-15 and February 15-17 respectively.
Within state farmers training was conducted at sericulture farm Dimapur. Resource persons for the programme were extension officers, sericulture office Dimapur Pete and Yangti.
The speakers presented a power point on cultivation practices of different varieties of silk worms, management practices of host plants, sanitations and post harvest managements.
During the programme, farm in-charges showed and explained the farmers about the activities going on in the farm, their significance and developments.
Interstate farmers training programme was conducted at Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute (CMERTI) Lahdoigarh, Jorhat Assam. The farmers were made to interact and exchange ideas with the scientists at the research centre. Knowledge on different techniques and systems of rearing varieties of silk worms like Muga, Eri, etc. and their managements, extraction of silks from cocoons, etc. were deliberated and imparted to the farmers. Collection of varieties of moths and value added products were also showcased to the farmers. Resource persons for the programme included Dr. DK Jigyasu and Dr. Singh, both Scientists at the Research Centre.
Women SHGs from Englan and Yikhum villages participated in the programme.
The tour was led by two deputy project directors, Yanglen Jami and Suben Yanthan.
ATMA Kohima: With the objective of promoting awareness and interaction amongst the inter block farmers and functionaries of ATMA, three blocks of ATMA Kohima district – Chiephobozou, Jakhama and Kohima blocks jointly organised “Kisan Ghosti” on February 13 at Mima village.
According to a DIPR report, the purpose of the programme was to create potato cultivation awareness among the farmers. Accordingly, there were three technical sessions.
 The first session was on land preparation for potato cultivation wherein resource person, ATM ATMA Chiephobouzou block, Theruovinuo, elaborated the proper land preparation techniques to be followed for higher yield and demonstrated line sowing and spacing methods.
Theruovinuo advised the farmers to follow these techniques for a better harvest and higher production because though potato was grown by many farmers, the yield was not up to the expectation with most farmers being unaware of scientific techniques.
Resource person for the second session, ATM ATMA Kohima block, Rokuotuono Phira, spoke on common diseases and pest management for potato plants.
Phira said common diseases that infect potatoes were dry rot, brown rot, ring rot and black scurf while the common pests are black cutworm and white grub.
The resource person explained the signs and symptoms diseases and pests infestation. Some pictures were also shown to the farmers so that they can have a visual understanding and reference of the problems.
The resource person also briefed the farmers on the measures that should be adopted to prevent the diseases and to control the pest infestation.
The third session was on intercropping in potato cultivation with resource person, ATM, ATMA Jakhama block, Tolovino, who demonstrated the best crop which can be intercropped with potato plants to ensure year round field utilization, better production and mitigate crop failure.
After the technical sessions an interaction session amongst the farmers was held where they shared their various experiences with potato as well as other crops.
Altogether 34 farmers from nine villages representing the three blocks participated in the programme along with ten ATMA functionaries.