Phek, December 7 (MExN): KVK Phek conducted farmer-scientist interaction and joint visit programme from November 22 to December 4 at various villages under five blocks covering two villages each sponsored by ATMA Phek.
Dr. Hannah Krujia, SMS Agronomy in a press release informed that altogether 143 farmers participated in programmes. During the joint visits, the problem diagnosed were high mortality of livestock, low potato yield due to insect pest infestation, continuous water stagnation in paddy field that caused low yield, haphazard sowing of rabi crops like mustard, pea etc, insect pest infestation in waterlogged paddy field, citrus decline in orange and nutrient deficiency in cabbage that resulted in low yield in cabbage.
During the famers scientist interaction programme at Lekromi and Phuhgi village, farmers showed keen interest in commercial rabbit farming. Housing and feeding management practices in pig were discussed in the programme. Prevention and prophylactic measures were discussed in length by Dr. Debojyoti Borkotoky, SMS Animal Science to mitigate the annual loss of livestock wealth due to diseases.
For rabi crop programme, complete package of practices on lentil was explained and follow up demonstration was done in farmers field. The importance of cropping system was explained especially on crop rotation, intercropping system and mixed cropping.
Advantages and disadvantages of cropping system were also briefed by Dr. Hannah Krujia, SMS Agronomy. Dr. T. Esther Longkumer, ACTO Soil Science elaborated in Soil fertility management in Jhum field and enlightened the farmers on use of vermicompost, biofertilizer and organic compost for maintaining the soil nutrient and for better crop growth. Fertility management of soil through crop rotation for improving soil health, crop yield, farm income and also reduce insect and disease risk. The farmers were also made aware of soil sample collection to know the soil fertility status of their field.
The farmers were apprised of the various management practices of Kiwi fruits by Keniseto Chucha, Farm manager, Horticulture.
