Dimapur, November 12 (MExN): State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) organized two days training on ‘Post harvest management and low cost off season cultivation practices for agri. and horti crops’ for ATMA functionaries at SAMETI, Medziphema from November 9 to 10.
The training was aimed at imparting technical knowledge to the trainees on preserving the surplus crop harvest to prevent post harvest loss of agriculture and horticulture crops, according to a press release from Director SAMETI & Principal IETC Medziphema. The participants were also trained on the knowhow of off season cultivation practices through poly houses.
Resource persons for the training were Renbemo Ngullie, Assistant Chief Technical Officer (Horticulture) KVK, Mokokchung and Dr. Shisarenla Aier, Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture) KVK, Tuensang.
The training covered following topics - Post-harvest handling of major spices & flowers; Post-harvest physiology and problems leading to losses of horticultural produce-causes & control; Important pre harvest factors, maturity indices & quality standards; Harvesting technique of important horticulture crops, pre-cooling & storage; Low cost shade net house construction for propagation of seedlings; Post-harvest handling of fruits & vegetables; Importance, status & challenges of post-harvest management of horticulture crops in NER.
The participants were also taken to KVK, Dimapur ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region. Dr. Anamika Sharma, Program Coordinator, KVK Dimapur gave detailed explanation on the operation and uses of banana fibre extractor machine, which is used for extraction of banana fibre and can be easily operated by unskilled labour and gives maximum output. Trainees were also taken to the Citrus Processing Facility and were given a tour of the cold storage and processing machineries present within the facility. They then visited the poly houses where off season vegetables were being cultivated. The field visit concluded with discussion and interaction with the officials.
As part of the practical exercise, group presentations were given by the participants based on the training course and the observations made during the field visit, the release added.
The valedictory function was chaired by Tiajungla Longchar, DPD SAMETI, while feedbacks on the training were given by Shilunokdang Jamir, ATM Mokokchung and Keneisanuo Keditsu, ATM Dimapur.
In his valedictory address, Renbemo Ngullie, Assistant Chief Technical Officer (Horticulture) KVK, Mokokchung encouraged the trainees to sincerely address the problems faced by farmers and also make them aware about climate change by recommending crop saving practices.
The training saw a good turnout of participants from all districts of the state and concluded with distribution of certificates and training handout to the trainees, the release said.
