Empowering rural women through integrated farming

Zunheboto: ICAR is promoting integrated farming system with the aim of improving the nutritional security and employment generation round the year. To sensitize the rural women about importance of integrating agriculture, animal science and horticulture together, two days training programme on nutritional security and income generation through integrated farming system approach was conducted by ICAR RC NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Jharnapani under Tribal Sub Plan on March 6 and 7.

Thirty-two women farmers from 13 SHGs of Rotomi and Atoizu villages of Zunheboto district participated in the training programme. Deliberation of theory and practicals on different aspects of improved maize production technology, poultry and pig breeding, artificial insemination in pig, citrus and kiwi fruit cultivation and home scale mushroom production techniques were delivered by a team of experts. The team comprised of Dr. Rakesh Kumar (Agronomy), Dr. M.K. Patra (Animal Reproduction) and Dr. A. Thirugnanavel (Horticulture) and Tasvina R Borah (Plant Pathology).

Dr. Bidyut C. Deka, Joint Director, ICAR Nagaland centre for promoting agriculture and allied intervention for empowering the rural women in Zunheboto district of Nagaland appreciated the efforts taken by the scientists and technical officers of the centre.

The valedictory program was graced by Hon’ble MLA, Picto Shohe, Atoizu constituency as chief guest, Dr. Akali Sema, Professor (Horticulture) and Kehio Shohe, LR department, GoN, Dr. Bidyut C. Deka, Joint Director and Dr. Anamika Sharma, PC, KVK Dimapur. Following the training programme, critical inputs like maize seeds, mushroom spawn were given to each beneficiary to begin income generation activity and assurance was given for establishing pig and poultry production unit at each SHGs in future. The program concluded with vote of thanks delivered by Dr. A. Thirugnanavel.