Kohima, March 21 (MExN): Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Wokha and ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre conducted a day long training cum farmers-scientists interaction programme at Kandinu Station village of Kohima district on March 17.
Around 200 farmers, rural youth, farmer group leaders and village headmen and chairmen attended the programme. Johny G Rengma, National Executive Member of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was the key person behind organising the programme, a press release informed. During his welcome address, he requested the agricultural scientists of ICAR and KVK to educate the farmers in such a way that they can obtain their required food from their own area organically without hampering the natural resources.
Joint Director of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland centre, Dr. DJ Rajkhowa in his address pointed out that the human population is increasing day by day but the cultivated area remains the same. Hence, the underlining challenges for the society are the production of good quality nutritious food, economic security of the rural community and maintenance of natural resources and environment for sustainable development of agriculture. He also stressed on the use of quality seeds and planting material, timely sowing and early weeding, better nutrient management by recycling crop residue and weed biomass through composting and vermicomposting technique, adoption of integrated farming system (IFS), and judicious utilization of water for winter crops to make the farming more sustainable and self sufficient.
Meanwhile, Dr. Santosh Kumar Baishya, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK Wokha said KVK is a unique institute where basket of technological options are available for transferring into the farmers’ field for agricultural development. He also highlighted KVK activities like soil health card distribution, demonstration of rainwater harvesting structure (Jalkund), seed production, crop diversification, popularization of good quality breeds of pig and poultry, processing and value addition of fruits and vegetables and marketing of agriculture produce.
Dr. L.K. Baishya, Senior Scientist (Agronomy), ICAR Nagaland Centre mentioned that weed is the major problem observed during jhum cultivation and therefore 1/3 period of crop period should be free from weed. He also asked the farmers to plant a right crop (medicinal/fruits) at right time at right place to restore forest diversity and environmental security.
Further, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Ray, SMS (Soil Science), KVK Wokha explained about the present soil condition of Nagaland as well as Kandinu areas and the feasible management techniques of soil pH, soil primary, secondary and micro-nutrients organically. He also talked about the negative impacts of salt application on soil and plant growth system and urged the farmers to avoid salt application and suggested some alternative weed management practices. Joint Director, ICAR, Nagaland centre also distributed agri-inputs such as seeds of ridge gourd, bitter gourd, maize, cucumber, bhindi, French bean, rice bean and some weeding tools to the participating farmers.
