Dimapur, March 23 (MExN): Tuber crops contribute about 6% daily calorific intake of human nutrition. Cultivation of tuber crops like tapioca, colocassia, potato, sweet potato etc as subsidiary food item is not new among Nagas, but at present, these crops are mainly cultivated for animal feeds. Despite favourable agro climatic conditions, the production of tuber crops is very low in Nagaland due to poor management coupled with use of old and low yielding varieties. Production of tuber crops in present scenario has drastically reduced below national average.
Considering the scope, potential and the need to increase production of tuber crops in the district, Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Kerala in collaboration with KVK Mokokchung, conducted a seminar-cum-training programme on “Improved Tuber Crops Production Technologies” on March 21 in Mokokchung town hall. During the training programme, topics on tuber crop production and value addition were imparted to the participating farmers. Resource persons were Dr. Sivakumar, Senior Scientist and Dr. S. Ramanathan from CTCRI, Dr. Thirugnanavel, Scientist and Dr. Sreeralan, Scientist from ICAR, Renbomo, SMS Horticulture and Samuel Sangtam, SMS Agronomy from KVK Mokokchung.
There was also a Farmers-Scientist interaction where various issues and problems of tuber crop production and marketing were discussed. CTCRI also expressed willingness to extend their support and technical guidance in the future to promote tuber production and its value addition in the district.
