Dimapur, February 10 (MExN): ATMA Dimapur conducted ‘Within District Farmer’s Training’ at Muga Farm School in Niuland Town on February 9 in order to upgrade the knowledge and potentials of the interested farmers based on Sericulture.
Resource person Mayangjala Walling, EO, District Sericulture Office, Dimapur illustrated on Rearing of silkworms that involves cultivation of mulberry trees for mulberry silkworms which provide a regular supply of leaves. They are reared in specially made trays in rooms with controlled temperature and humidity and regularly fed the required leaves. She further spoke on the methods of spinning of cocoons, reeling, and use of disinfectants, nursery techniques and weaving process. Pests of Mulberry like thrips, mealy bug, whitefly, and uzifly and its management were also highlighted.
Later, Vilhousienuo Khro, ASO, District Sericulture Office cited on Eri-Rearing and its different methods like construction of rearing house, plantation and maintenance. She cited that Eri-silkworm feeds on castor and kessuru leaves, tapioca, payam, etc. Eri silkworm life cycle, hatching, brushing, mounting, spinning and harvesting; various viral, bacterial, fungal and protozoan diseases of silkworms and its management were also emphasized.
In his short speech, Kahoto Zhimomi, a progressive sericulture farmer shared his experiences with the participants regarding eri, mulberry and muga rearing, som and kessuru plantations and his coordination with ATMA and Dept of Sericulture. He encouraged other participants and said that eri and mulberry rearing is not labour intensive and does not require large areas for rearing and planting and should be practiced by everyone. However, patience is needed and prospects of earning revenue exist from nursery to rearing cocoons till obtaining finished weaving products.
