Photograph taken during one of the training program.
Kiphire, January 27 (MExN): Training programmes on ‘Diversified farming practices for doubling farmers’ income’ was conducted from January 19 to 22, covering Cedeyevong, Jenty, Zaonger and Kiusam villages under Kiphire district.
According to a press release received on Wednesday, Seroba Sangtam, HEA, Kiphire, highlighted on various cropping systems like mixed cropping, inter cropping, the benefits of crop rotation and how it helps in maintaining soil fertility. He also emphasised on growing groundnuts along with maize and how the leguminous groundnut crops, through its root nodules enhance the growth of maize as well. He cited the ill effect of growing sole cropping and how this would deteriorate the soil in the long run.
Temjenna Jamir, SMS (Agro meteorology), DAMU, KVK Kiphire spoke on the importance of integrated farming system for livelihood security, its role on the economic outlook in the farming community and also the role it plays in maintaining a sustainable ecosystem.
She spoke on the different types of integrated farming system mainly fishery-piggery and fishery-poultry. Jamir also apprised the farmers that application of extra fertilizer to fish pond for raising fish can be greatly reduced ultimately cutting the cost of fish production by 60% as poultry and piggery dung contains good fertilizer which helps in producing fish feed i.e. phytoplankton and zooplankton in fish pond. In one year 25-30 birds can produce 1 t dip litter and based on that it is found that 500-600 birds are enough to fertilize 1 ha. The waste produced by 20-30 pigs is equivalent to one ton of Ammonium sulphate applied to the soil. Also mortality of pig is greatly reduced, as pond provides much needed water for washing the pig- sties and pigs. The excreta voided by 35- 40 pigs are found adequate to fertilize one hectare of water. The pond mucks which get accumulated at the pond bottom due to constant application of pig dung can be used as an excellent fertilizer for growing vegetables, other crops and cattle fodder, she shared.
The farmers were also informed on the importance of registering themselves in the mkisan portal and how it would play a significant role as bi-weekly messages were sent through the portal for all the registered farmers. Information on Meghdoot, Damini and Mausam seva apps was also shared during the end of the programme which was reportedly attended by a total of 120 farmers.
