Nagaland farmers ’Training cum exposure trip organized in ICAR complex, Umiam
An exposure cum training programme on “Rabi pulses production and farming systems” was organized for the farmers of Kohima district Nagaland by the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghlaya. The three days training programme was organized from 17th to 19th March 2015 under the Tribal Sub-Plan. A total of 29 farmers from Kohima district participated in the programme.
During the inaugural session, the Director of the institute Dr. S. V.Ngachan emphasized on the need for effective utilization of rice fallow lands through cultivation of rabi pulses such as pea, lentil and oil seed crops such as rapeseed-mustard, linseed etc. with residual soil moisture. Even vegetables can be cultivated in rice fallow utilizing technologies such as raised and sunken bed land configuration, irrigation, identification of location specific crops etc.
Dr. A.K. Tripathi, Zonal Project Director (ZPD) emphasized on the efficient land utilization through integrated farming system for food and nutritional security. Dr. D.J. Rajkhowa, Principal Scientist, laid emphasis on efficient soil and water conservation in the hills for sustainable rural livelihood. Dr. Rajesh Kumar elaborated the usefulness of pulses for nutrition and livelihood.
The programme included exposure of the farmers to the various scientific and technological developments of the institute. To begin with they had an exposure to farm mechanization systems through various tools and implements by Er. Arvind Kumar. Micro water shed based farming system was elaborated by Dr Jayanta Layek. A practical demonstration on zero-tillage cultivation of pea, lentil and rapeseed etc. in rice fallow was given by Dr. Anup Das. The intricate process of raised and sunken beds, landconfigurationfor crop diversification was explained by Dr Ramakrishna G. I. The process of mushroom cultivation was detailed by Dr Pankaj Baiswar. Farmers were also given an exposure to improved pig husbandry and meat processing for developing entrepreneurship. At the end of the training, few farm implements such as furrower opener, maize Sheller etc were distributed to farmers.
The farmers and the accompanying officials from the Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Nagaland were appreciative about the efforts taken by the scientist of the institute and attending such a training programme and the exposure has enhanced their capacity in improved farming technologies.
