Participants during the agricultural training programme in Tening Block, Peren district held from October 7 to 10.
Peren, October 17 (MExN): Continuing to equip farmers to follow organic standards, gain certification, and tap into profitable markets, the Department of Agriculture, Nagaland held a four-day agricultural training programme in Tening Block, Peren district from October 7 to 10.
The training was held under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) Phase 4 by the Department of Agriculture, Nagaland in partnership with The Green Caravan as service provider, stated a press release received here.
The training covered six villages including Nsong, Nzau, Tepun, Azailong, Nchangram, and Old Tesen, engaging over 500 farmers from the region.
Samsangheile Nchang, Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO) of Peren district, joined the training and addressed the participants emphasising the significance of organic farming in today’s agricultural landscape. She highlighted its environmental benefits, as well as its economic potential for farmers.
The SDAO reassured the farmers that the Department of Agriculture remains committed to providing ongoing support and guidance.
The department, she explained, is actively involved in ensuring farmers receive the necessary training and resources, such as quality organic seeds, bio-pesticides, and access to organic certification processes. She also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government, agricultural experts, and local communities, ensuring that farmers are well-equipped to adopt and sustain organic farming practices.
Furthermore, SDAO Nchang underscored the department’s role in facilitating market linkages, helping farmers connect with buyers who value organic produce, thus ensuring better returns on their crops. She encouraged the farmers to take advantage of various government schemes that promote organic farming and assured them that the department would continue to offer technical and financial assistance to help them grow and prosper in the organic sector.
The technical session centered on crucial aspects of the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) guidelines. Farmers were educated on three key areas: organic certification, the management of Internal Control Systems (ICS) at the community level, and establishing market linkages for organic produce.
These sessions were aimed at ensuring that farmers from the six participating villages are well-equipped to follow organic standards, gain certification, and tap into profitable markets through the Tening Organic Producer Company Ltd.
