Total monthly rainfall received in Dimapur district during November month was 35.2 mm which was 18% more than the normal (long term annual average). The number of rainy days was 2.
Keeping in view of threat of COVID-19 spread farmers are advised to follow the government guidelines, personal hygiene, use mask, ensure hand washing with soap at reasonable interval, social distancing during picking of vegetables and other agricultural operation in all crops.
Paddy:
1. Paddy should be dried properly before storing as high moisture paddy is easily attacked by mould and insects and lead to rapid deterioration.
2. Storage of paddy should be such that the grain is kept safe against humidity, moisture, insects, rats, birds, and other contaminants.
3. Care should be taken to store different varieties of paddy separately.
Rapeseed/Mustard:
1. Mulching should be done to conserve moisture. If moisture is a problem then light irrigation should be given to improve the yield. Two irrigations at pre-bloom and pod filling stages are beneficial.
2. Keep the field free from weeds and daily scouting of the field should be done for aphid and other diseases.
Cabbage:
1. During earthing up, the plants should be supported with soil to avoid toppling of the plant during head formation.
2. Install yellow sticky trap @12 nos/ha to monitor aphids.
Animal Science
Poultry:
• Find out what diseases are prevalent in your area and arrange for vaccination and treatment if necessary.
• Screen animals for nasal discharge, wound and injuries regularly and the services of veterinary doctor be taken for treatment.
• To optimize production of poultry, proper sanitation and hygiene should be maintained, all movable equipments like feeders, waterers should be cleaned and disinfected periodically, litters are to be scraped and removed.
• Birds require adequate space, sufficient feed to meet their nutritional requirements, and an adequate supply of good-quality water. Farmers must be able to recognize disease and treat it as soon as possible.
• Always keep good contacts with veterinary practitioners.
Piggery:
• As the weather gets colder, your pigs’ energy requirement will increase, as they need more energy to keep warm. Regularly monitor their level of ‘fitness’ and increase their feed intake to maintain. Fish oils are excellent for providing slow-release energy with the added advantage of a high level of omega-3.
• Depending on number of pigs, pens should be regularly clean. Farmers should be aware about the symptoms of diseases. Like no interest in food, diarrhea, eye discharge, excessive coughing, hernia, dry skin and irregular spots on skin, excessively long hair, back bone showing etc.
• Protect the animals from cold draft using gunny bags and other locally available materials.
• Provide protein and energy rich ration and add libitum clean drinking water.
• To protect piglet anemia in newly born piglets provide iron dextran injection on 4th or 14th day after birth or alternately provide ferrous sulphate powder for 14 days.
Fishery:
• If the water level declines drastically, complete harvesting should be done. Or else, if there is sufficient water, continue feeding @ 16 kg/day/ha.
• Discourage entry of birds and other animals into the pond.
• Continue the procedure of previous month.
• Diseased or injured fish should be dipped in 1 ppm KMnO4 (Potassium permanganate) solution for 1 minute and then release into the pond.
• Partial harvesting should be done taking due care not to injure the fish.
Agro Met Field Unit,
ICAR, Jharnapani. Medziphema
