The first scientific advisory committee (SAC) meeting was conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Longleng with line departments including State Bank of India (SBI) Longleng branch and progressive farmers March 12 at deputy commissioner office, which was graced by DC Longleng K. L. Lotha as chief guest.
The SAC meetings are conducted to get necessary guidance and support to carry out the mandated activities of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in a more planned and scientific manner.
The committee is constituted as per the guidelines of ICAR, which comprises of representatives from different Agri and allied departments and ICAR institutes.
Speaking at the meeting, DC reiterated that farmers of the Hukphang village were fortunate enough to have the KVK, specially ICAR, KVK in their village. He lauded the performance of KVK staffs for educating the farming community through different trainings and demonstrations.
Dr. B.C. Deka, joint director, ICAR Research Complex, Jharnapani, Nagaland Centre, who chaired the technical session, gave a brief idea about repository of scientific technology suitable to the farmers’ field for upliftment of farming community.
He stressed on Jhum improvement through adoption of IFS model, Agro-forestry model, double cropping with oilseed, pulses and vegetables.
He pointed out that there was no suitable technology for the high altitude areas and therefore should work in that direction to bring some suitable technology.
Dr. Deka suggested use of LLDPE, LDPE and HDPE materials for storing and packaging of value added products. District agriculture officer (DAO) suggested introducing soybean and other leguminous crops as sequential cropping for improvement of soil fertility.
District soil & water conservation officer stressed on the need of preservation water rather harvesting of it, in all agricultural operation and activities should be planned in that direction.
Dr. M. K. Patra, scientist (animal science) suggested incorporating protein supplements with mineral mixture and iron in Anthelmintic study for proper growth of piglets. Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Scientist (Agronomy) gave emphasis on the seed production aspects while taking cereal crops. SBI Manager, Longleng shared his experiences on the status of different enterprises taken up by the farming community of Longleng and expressed desire to extend financial assistance to KVK trained beneficiaries & progressive farmers who could repay the loan on time.
The meeting commenced with the briefing on SAC meeting by Dr. Lily Ngullie, SMS (Animal Science) followed by felicitation. Welcome address was delivered by Er. P. Chowdhury, SMS (SWCE). The Progress Report of KVK, Longleng for the year 2013-14 was presented by Dr. Manoj Kumar, Programme Co-ordinator (i/c). The future action plan for the year 2014-15 was presented by E. Lireni Kikon, SMS (Plant Protection). The reception and overall coordination of the meeting was supervised by K. Lily Rangnamei, SMS (Horticulture) and Thungchano S. Ezung, programme assistant (home science). The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Patu Khate Zeliang, SMS (Plant Breeding). After the SAC meeting, a committee headed by the Joint Director, ICAR, Jharnapani paid a field visit for Water harvesting pond & approach cum boundary road at KVK, Longleng, and TSP project site on Lowcost Scientific Pig Sty Unit and Lowcost Scientific Mushroom Production Unit at Hukphang and Orangkong village respectively.