Refresher course for officers on rodent pest management

A two day state level refresher training on rodent pest management for field officers was conducted at Sameti Hall IETC from April 29 to 30. A total of 42 field officers from agriculture and forest department were trained by rodent specialist NPPTI, Hyderabad Dr. A.M. Mohan Rao who was the resource person.
According to additional director of agriculture, A.Y Ovung, the inaugural program was chaired by principal IETC Lanupokyim who welcomed the trainees.
DDA (PP) Rongseninla gave a brief highlight about the course and stated that the rodent population is on the increase in all the districts, calling on the field officers to be equipped technically to tackle the situation in the farmer’s field.
Dr. Mohan Rao highlighted the implication of bamboo flowering in the state and many other topics of importance were covered on rodents, exercises on population dynamics were carried out by the trainees.
The valedictory function was held on April 30, where additional director of agriculture A. Y. Ovung, was the chief guest.
Meanwhile, a state level orientation-cum refresher training on rodent pest management for senior officers of agriculture and allied sectors was conducted at the conference hall of Directorate of Agriculture on April 27 where 54 officers participated.
Director of Agriculture Dr. Supong Keitzar, presided over the function. Keitzar stated that bamboo was regarded as a symbol of long life in China and even in Naga culture, it is an indispensable commodity, consequently he said, when bamboo flowering occurs, the loss in terms of economic value of the bamboo as well as the outbreak of rodents in the farmers field is devastating for the people.
Dr. Mohan Rao in his inaugural speech highlighted the importance of global warming which has increased the minimum temperature in the world and as a result, the population of small animals has increased due to the increased metabolic rate activities which contribute to the increase of rodents.
He also emphasized on the importance of Leptospirosis disease, caused to human beings through the urine of rats.
The technical session was chaired by joint director Z. Kikon in 1st session and, joint director T.V Holo in the 2nd covering topics on bamboo flowering, principles of management and actual management.