Farmers’ Welfare Workshop held across Nagaland

Dimapur, May 6 (MExN): Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) in Nagaland conducted Kisan Kalyan Karyashala (Farmers’ Welfare Workshop) across the State under the theme ‘Doubling the farmers’ income by 2022’ on May 2.  

Akuluto: ATMA Akuluto block under Zunheboto district conducted the workshop at VK Town Hall. Special guest Trongdiba Tongpi, EAC, VK highlighted that VK area is blessed with good soil and climatic condition for cultivation and encouraged the participants to take up diversified agriculture. He lauded the efforts of agri & allied departments in the block and further exhorted the farmers to be dedicated and hard working.  

A press release informed that the recipient of Block Best Farmers Award was Kakuto Assumi of Littami village. Earlier, Coffee Farm School at VK was inaugurated by Trongdiba Tongpi with Zhevukhu as Farm School Teacher. Land Resources department, Zunhebeoto provided 2,000 coffee seedlings to the Farm School. Also, SDAO Akuluto and Sericulture department provided soybean seeds, HQPM1 maize, rhizobium biofertilizer, castor seeds and pliers to the farmer participants.  

The workshop was attended by 56 farmers.

Peren: In Peren block, the workshop was held at DAO office, Peren. Yanthungbemo Kikon, EAC Peren, who was the special guest, reminded the farmers on the potential of Peren district in agriculture sector and encouraged them to avail of the farming technology and consult the experts from the department. He also emphasized on importance of organic farming and advised the department to promote it.  

In the keynote address, B Imti Tzudir, Deputy DAO, Peren elucidated on Kisan Kalyan Karyashala and inspired the farmers to be result oriented. Block Best Award, a citation along with cash was awarded to Icising of Ngwalwa village.  

The programme was followed by technical session in which 41 farmers attended. Lentong, Member NBHM presented on the topic ‘Apiculture’, where he highlighted the benefits and importance of bee keeping, emphasizing on scientific methods. He also briefed on the scope of bee keeping such as enhanced crop productivity through pollination, employment and income generation. Peren district, he added, is ideal for apiculture.  

Otto S Awomi, Research Scholar delivered on the topic ‘Pests and Diseases of Maize’. He spoke on several pests and diseases of maize and their management. The farmers were encouraged to adopt non-chemical management strategies.  

In the last session, Alongba, BTM Peren covered the topic ‘Importance of bio-fertilizers and its usage’. He enlightened the farmers on the positive aspects of bio-fertilizers and later demonstrated on its dosage.  

Shamator: ATMA Shamator block organized the Kisan Kalyan Karyashala at ADC conference hall, Shamator.  

Imakumla Pongen, EAC Shamtor was the chief guest. She encouraged the farmers to work hard. Talks were given by different resource persons who are experts in different fields, according to a press release. The farmers raised different questions regarding the problems faced in the fields. Altogether, 27 famers from Shamator Town, Shamator village, Yakur village and Chessore village attended the programme.  

Tening: ATMA Tening block organised the workshop in Dobashi Hall, Tening Town with attendance of 44 farmers. The keynote address was delivered by Yezaho Swu, Dy. Project Director ATMA Peren, wherein he explained the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan campaign and the various schemes, projects, strategies and vision of the Ministry of Agriculture & Famer Welfare. Target of doubling the farmers’ income by 2022 were also thoroughly illustrated.  

Special guest Tsetsowe Kupa, EAC Insong extrapolated on the importance of farmers in the national economy as well as stressed on the importance of cooperation among the farmers to further enhance the marketing of their agricultural products which in turn will result in doubling their income. He also pointed out another important aspect, inclusion of minimum support price in the local markets that could help farmers sell off their produce at an acceptable rate.  

The technical session was conducted by ATMA Tening block and Department of Horticulture, which was followed by vaccination of 20 animals and distribution of vaccines and medicines to the Mithun salt lick manger managers by Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services.  

ATMA Tening block staff also carried out training and demonstration on mushroom cultivation.  

Tuensang: Kisan Kalyan Karyashala was organized by ATMA Tuensang for Noklak, Panso and Thonoknyu blocks at KTC hall, Noklak. Thsuvisie Phoji, ADC Noklak urged the farmers to change their mindset about existing farming system and to incorporate innovative technologies to increase their source of income. Awards were also presented to progressive farmers. In the technical session, resource persons from agri and allied departments shared about the different schemes that the farmers can avail. Altogether, 60 participants attended the programme.  

Wokha: ATMA Wokha organized Kisan Kalyan Karyashala in all the seven blocks of the district.  

Addressing the Wokha block farmers, MLA Dr. Chumben Murry said the workshop emphasizes on income or profit by doing agricultural activities, which he said is the need of the hour. Sharing his experiences as Agricultural Minister for five years, he said agricultural activities should not only be taken as a means of subsistence, but as a source of income to meet children’s education, health coverage and other means of livelihood. He encouraged the agri. and allied Heads of Departments present to emphasize agriculture as a means of profit for the farmers, a press release stated.  

Renbomo Ngullie, District Agricultural Officer advised the farmers to change their old mindset of cultivating schemes rather than seeds and take advantage of the various schemes taken up by the Central and State governments.  

Dr. Mhonchan Shitiri, Project Director, ATMA Wokha in his keynote address said the main focus of the workshop is the central government’s policy of doubling farmers’ income by 2022. He urged the farmers to take initiatives of the various Central and State schemes for their welfare.  

The day long workshop was marked by trainings on fishery, sericulture, AH, agriculture, farmer-scientist interaction, slide show, distribution of leaflets, animal health check up, demonstration, sharing of experiences by progressive farmers and recognition of farmer by giving cash award.