Participants and officials during the training on ‘diversified farming practices for doubling farmers’ income’ conducted by KVK Kiphire from December 19 to 22. (Photo Courtesy: KVK Kiphire)
Kiphire, December 28 (MExN): A one-day training on ‘diversified farming practices for doubling farmers’ income’ was conducted at Ngoromi, Sangtsoze, Thuthuze and Tsungphong under Kiphire district by KVK Kiphire from December 19 to 22.
Value addition of crops
During the training, Sepila Sangtam, AC, Longmatra NSRLM highlighted on value addition of crops like ginger, gooseberry and wild apple. She explained on how to make ginger, gooseberry and wild apple candy and also gooseberry wine.
Importance of value addition were made known to the farmers present and also how it would have an impact in their economic growth as this items could be easily sold in the market if their packaging were upto the mark. “Due to negligence in post harvest, more than 50% of produce is lost every year and hence, this could be minimized if this could be practiced in the villages,” she informed.
Crop diversification
Temjenna Jamir, SMS (Agro meteorology), DAMU, KVK Kiphire highlighted on crop diversification for better conditions for food security.
Crop diversification not only plays role in doubling farmers’ income but also act as one of the main source in rejuvenating the soil, provided crops are selected accordingly during the cropping season such as cereals followed by legumes and can even go for intercropping of cereals and legumes in one cropping season. This would help not only in maintaining soil fertility but also reduces the risk of 100 % crop loss i.e., if one crop fails one crop can be used for generating the income.
“This diversification would also enable farmers to grow surplus products for sale at market and thus help to obtain increased income to meet other needs related to household well-being,” it added.
Farm Act 2020
During the training, Farm Act 2020 was accented to the participant in a nutshell. Importance of Minimum Support Price for the farmers was also highlighted. Suggestion on elimination of middlemen in the marketing channel was discourse as many at times they add the cost of marketing and ultimately makes the final customer’s price higher at the same time the original seller does not get the actual amount of his products, a press release from KVK Kiphire stated.
Integrated farming system
Integrated farming system models such as livestock+crop; fishery+poultry; duckery+fishery; piggery+fishery and horticulture based farming system were also thoroughly discussed. Meghdoot, Damini and Mausam Seva apps were also popularized. A total of 120 farmers attended the training programs.
Dr N Khumdemo Ezung, Senior Scientist and Head (i/c), KVK, Kiphire and coordinator of the training informed that it was conducted as part of Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan-III activity to be conducted in Aspirational District.
