Dimapur, May 24 (MExN): Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Dimapur Aghunaqa block conducted capacity building programme for Jute farmers of Hozheto and Kikheyi villages on May 23.
Resource person, Temjentoshi, AO-II, SDAO (Niuland sub-division) spoke on the topic ‘Cultivation practices of Jute’ and said that in Dimapur majority of the jute cultivation are practiced in Aghunaqa and Niuland blocks that includes Hozheto, Kikheyi, Ghoshito, Hevikhe, Kiyezu-A, Kiyezu-B and Henito villages.
He cited advantages of Jute cultivation like cleanses the air, reduces pollution, less fertilizer and improves soil texture. He mentioned that JRO-524 varieties are mostly used and also distributed by the dept. Resource person then elaborated about climate and land preparation, fertilizer application, harvest methods, finished products and insect pest management and how to control it using rogor 35 EC.
Nungshilepden, AO-II, SDAO (Niuland sub-division) explained on the topic ‘Retting Technique and process of Jute Fibre’ saying it is the extraction of fibre from the stems of plant. He mentioned that there are different types of retting like mechanical (hammering), chemical (boiling and applying chemicals), steam/vapour/dew retting and water/microbial retting. Among them, water retting is a century old but most popular process in extracting fine fibres. He told farmers to submerge atleast 10cm (or 1/2 feet) below the surface of water. After harvesting the jute stalks are tied into bundles and submerged in running water.
Normally the fibres are ready for extraction between 12-16 days. He cited that most farmers practice retting process in paddy fields or in small canal with dirty water in Dimapur. Retting in muddy water and iron water yields low fibre quality of jute. The programme was chaired by Sentibenla, ATM, Niuland block where 27 jute farmers marked their presence.
