Group of farmers from Ongpangkong North Block at a farm in Longkong village during an exposure trip on March 27.
Dimapur, March 30 (MExN): FIAC (Farm Information and Advisory Centre) Ongpangkong North Block, ATMA Mokokchung organsied an exposure visit for 24 farmers from its block on March 27. The group visited a farm in Longkong village owned and managed by Imnatoshi, 48 years old progressive farmer. This was stated in a press release issued by Dr. Rongsen, convener BTT of the block. It also stated that the visiting farmers got first hand information on how an integrated model farm operated litchi plantation, fishery ponds, tapioca field and a piggery unit.
According to Toshi, the farm spread over an area of 20 acres was started in 2010. He had planted 200 litchi trees, dug ten fishery ponds, and cultivated tapioca in 4 acres and piggery unit with 18 breeding sows and two breeding boars in the farm, it said.
Other remarkable features the press release mentioned about the farm were the biogas plant integrated with the piggery unit which provided fuel for cooking, a diesel operated milling unit for milling maize, dried tapioca and other feeds, drying yard for drying the digested byproduct of biogas plant to be later used as manure, a mini hydroger which generated 5 KV of electricity, especially for lighting as there is no power supply in the farm.
According to the note, Toshi also disclosed that despite the distance, he had selected the present spot as it was located in the foot hills with plenty of water available and gentle topography for crop, livestock and fish production. Along with the farming, he revealed that he was planning to gradually develop a recreation cum visitors spot by exploiting a water fall (which he said is about 180 feet high) located next to his farm.
During an interaction with the farmers, Toshi shared that for profitable swine production a farmer must try to supplement 50-60% of feed requirements through local production for iron supplementation to piglets and to avoid inbreeding. Stating that his motivation to venture into farming was the paucity in local production of farm produce (pork, fish etc) with increasing dependence on imports, he said he wanted to establish a model through which local farmers will be encouraged to take up farming more seriously.
Meanwhile, he said it was challenging, but said he was determined to go on and break even within 10 years. The farmers of Ongpankong North had great experience by seeing what this progressive farmer is doing and as well as through interaction, the press note said.
The group of farmers was led by Dr. Rongsen Convenor BTT, Toshimenla (BTM), Namo Imchen and Maken (both BTT members) at the trip.
