Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) has been conducting various activities in different parts of the state, as part of their programme for the welfare of farming community.
Nuiland block: ATMA Dimapur (Niuland Block) conducted demonstration programme at Hevikhe village on May 12. Resource person Demalu Hasnusa, BTM (Niuland block) spoke on the topic “package of practices for maize”. He elaborated on planting methods, sowing, seed rate, treatment, tillage, nutrient, water and pests’ management. Sentibenla, ATM (Niuland Block) spoke on the topic “Pests Management of Cucurbits” and mentioned different kinds of pests and methods to control them. At the programme chaired by Moakumzuk, ATM Niuland Block, maize seeds (HQPM-1 variety) were distributed to farmers and field visit was conducted at the maize field.
Medziphema block Khaibang: ATMA Dimapur Medziphema block conducted demonstration on “maize crop management” on May 10 at Khaibung, with Keneisano Krose ATM Medziphema block.
The resource person spoke on the importance of management of maize crop. She advised the farmers to pick the right time to plant maize and to make a serious commitment to improve soil health by recycling corn residue which could enhance productivity by improving nutrient availability. She also urged the farmers to consider planting corn-after-soybean to allow wetter corn ground time to dry, as it could help reduce sidewall compaction that limits root growth and leads to uneven stands. Maize seeds were distributed to the farmers at the end of the programme.
Medziphema block Kukidolong: ATMA Dimapur Medziphema Block conducted demonstration on “dhaincha green manuring” on May 10 at Kukidolong, with Keneisano Krose, ATM, Medziphema block as resource person.
Resource person highlighted on cultivation and management aspect of Dhaincha and spoke on the importance and scope of green manuring. She encouraged the farmers to start growing green manure crops as it was capable of establishing and growing quickly, tolerant to adverse climatic conditions, effective nitrogen fixer and is easy to incorporate and quickly decomposable. The farmers were provided free dhaincha seeds and field demonstration.
Akuluto block Zunheboto: Akuluto block, Zunheboto conducted within district training and demonstrations activities from May 11 to 13.
Within district training was conducted on the topic “benefits of Parkia spp. (Yongchak) on 11 May. Aolemla BTM trained the farmers on the benefits of Parkia roxburghii commonly called yongchak. The training was conducted at Akuhaito. Demonstration activities were conducted on the topics “preparation of value added products” and “making of detergent” on May 12 and 13 for women trainees from different SHGs. Resource persons were Aolemla and Livika BTM. Altogether 21 participants from Akuhaito, Khrimtomi and Rotomi villages were benefitted from the programme.
Phomching block: ATMA Mon, Phomching block conducted one-day training-cum-demonstration programme on organic cultivation of cardamom at Longwa village on April 29. The problems faced by the farmers in cultivating cardamom were addressed by resource persons AI, Chingin and BTM Nunghothung. Application of vermin compost on crops and management practices of cardamom were also demonstrated. Chingin Konyak also gave hands on demonstration on nursery bed preparation and highlighted on the importance of correct spacing and time of planting the crops. The programme was chaired by ATM Mon Mhonchumo Khuvung. Altogether 30 farmers benefitted from the programme.
Jakhama village: A booklet on “Documentation on Zabo Farming” at Jakhama village by ATMA Kohima district was released by Helie Rupreo, director of Agriculture & SNO (ATMA), Nagaland on May 2 at DAO conference hall. According to DIPR report, the director exhorted the farmers’ friend present, about the status of agriculture production in Nagaland. Taking the example of Pfustero, he encouraged the farmers to take up “Zabo farming”. He encouraged the farmers to focus on maize, foxtail millet, jobstear, brown rice, sticky rice etc which were not found in other regions. A demo of right measurement was taught to the farmers adding that lower rates commodities at village level could attract customers. The programme was followed by an orientation programme for the Farmers’ Friends (FF). Earlier the programme was chaired by Vizonyu Liezie, DAO & PD (ATMA), Kohima. Altogether 32 FFs attended the programme.
Wakching block: ATMA Mon Wakching block conducted a demonstration programme on April 29, at Tanhai village, with resource person ATM, K. Mhonchumo who demonstrated on the topics “Pest management practices in cultivation of maize” and “application of foliar spray in vegetables”. Common pest that infest maize crop at different stages of the crop and the pest management practices that can help in reducing the damage caused to the crop or the yield loss were discussed. Foliar application of micronutrients in vegetable crops, its role in providing essential micronutrients for the plants growth and improving the yield of crops and also the spraying schedule in different crops were explained.
Later, preparation and the method of spraying were demonstrated to the farmers. Altogether, 15 farmers attended the programme. Micronutrients were distributed to the participating farmers.