Zunheboto, June 30 (MExN): The Farm Information and Advisory Centre (FIAC) under the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) was inaugurated at Akuluto on June 25. The FIAC is attached to the SDAO office in Akuluto. Inaugurating the Centre, L Robert Longchari, SDO (Civil) at Akuluto, expressed appreciation to the Project Director of ATMA Zunheboto and members of the Block Technology Team (BTT) for their efforts in enabling the first FIAC in the district.
He further cautioned the trend of declining work culture in Naga society, especially among the farming populace. “The irony is that 80% of the Naga population is said to be farmers by profession, whereas we are importing 90% of our food requirements from outside the state. It is high time that our farming community should realise this fact. To overcome this problem lies in the efforts of the farmers and the Agriculture department as well,” Longchari said.
The SDO(C) added that the FIAC under ATMA is one such institution where agriculture technology can be transferred from scientists to the farmers and vice versa. Informing this in a press release, Atoi Sema, SDAO and convener, ATMA Block Akuluto, added that Longchari further urged the farmers to avail these facilities to their advantage.
Zhekheto, DSCO Zunheboto and Project Director for ATMA, gave a highlight of the aims and objectives of ATMA as well as its mode of operation. The inaugural programme was followed by an interaction session between the farmers and members of the BTT, Atoi Sema, SDAO and convenor, Dr. Apilo (V&AH), Tokato (Fisheries), Anito (Sericulture), and David Sumi, Agriculture Officer. A Farmers Interest Group and Farmers Advisory Committee were also formed from amongst the progressive farmers.
Drought like situation reported
During the interactive session, the participants also deliberated on the drought-like situation in the subdivision, “which comes under rain shadow area”, stated the release. Detailed reports from the GBs and progressive farmers were collected from their respective villages. More than 80% of the area under Jhum paddy was reported to be affected due to the prolonged dry spell, confirming the earlier report of the field staff (AFAs).
The complete absence of rain during sowing season – April to May – led to non-germination of crop and few that germinated wilted out due to extreme moisture stress, stated the release while adding that with the remaining surviving crops already stunted, the farmers have lost hope of any harvest this year, especially of paddy. In this regard, the Farmers Advisory Committee and the Block Technology Team have requested the ATMA team to take up the matter with the concerned department for redressal, added the release.
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