Total monthly rainfall received in Dimapur district during September month was 157.6 mm which was 26% less than the normal (long term annual average). The number of rainy days was 9. 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.
Spices and Plantation and Medicinal and Aromatic plants - Dr Azeze Seyie
1. Harvesting of large cardamom can be done, when the seeds of the topmost capsules turn brown. To enhance maturity, bearing tillers are cut to a height of 30-45 cm and left for another 10-15 days for full maturity. Harvested spikes are to be heaped and capsules separated and dried. Calyx (tail) cutting may be done after curing. Electrically dried capsules with maroon colour (positive index of quality) give premium prices in the market. Properly dried capsules should be allowed to cool and then packed in polythene lined jute bags. Bags may be stored on a wooden platform to avoid absorption of moisture, which may result in fungus growth damaging the stored produce.
2. Ensure sowing of winter season intercrops in young orchards.
3. Remove litchi mite infested shoots and spray chlorfenapyr 3ml/liter. Spray copper sulphate 2gm/lt of copper deficiency symptoms found and also apply Bordeaux paste (copper sulphate: lime: water in 1:1: 10) on tree trunk.
Animal Science - Dr Mahak Singh and Dr Talimoa
Poultry:
1. Brooder lights should be kept switched on before introducing chicks into the brooding area. Brooder room should be warm but well ventilated.
2. Observe for abnormalities in colour and consistency of droppings.
3. Immediately isolate sick and inactive birds. Inactive and sick birds will have ruffled feathers, dropping wings and may appear sleepy.
4. Sneezing, breathing rales and nasal/occular discharges should be observed and birds exhibiting these should be isolated and treated.
5. Avoid over feeding of layer birds. Broilers may be fed adlibitum.
6. Avoid mixing up birds of different ages.
7. Deworming and vaccination should be carried out regularly and on schedule even for local/desi birds.
Piggery:
1. Maintain strict biosecurity protocol.
2. Sows farrowing more than 10 piglets/older sows on farrowing should be provided proper care during and after farrowing.
3. When excess piglets are farrowed some of the piglets can be fostered after collostrum feeding. Artificial feeding of milk can also be carried out for the piglets.
4. When new piglets are brought they should be continued on a ration similar to the previous ration provided by the owner and slowly the ration can be tapered off.
5. Freshly purchased piglets can be provided multivitamins and ORS in drinking water to help combat stress.
6. Provide warmth in the winter months to piglets as they are highly susceptible to cold stress mortality.
7. Deworm and vaccinate on schedule.
