Longleng, December 7 (MExN): Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Longleng organized ‘World Soil Health Day cum pre-Rabi campaign’ on December 5 at KVK office premises.
The Deputy Commissioner of Longleng, Y. Denngan Avennoho Phom, who graced the occasion as chief guest, appealed to the farmers to take interest in agriculture to become self sufficient. He shared his experiences of modern agricultural practices of Himachal Pradesh, especially Solan. Stating that farmers should explore more scopes for food production, he stressed on community based farming, a press release informed.
Dr. Manoj Kumar, SMS (Agronomy) delivered the welcome address and glimpse of pulse programme in Longleng district for soil fertility improvement, increasing the cropping intensity and additional income of the farmers through double cropping with pulses in rice fallow.
Keynote address was tendered by Dr. P. Chowdhury, SMS (Soil & Water Conservation Engineering). He highlighted the importance of soil health cards and appealed to the farmers to use the card in day to day agricultural practices.
As the year 2016 is United Nation’s International Pulse Year, he said, pulses cultivation should be given top priority for soil fertility improvement. He added that in pre-Rabi campaign, planning of Rabi crops and vegetables may be streamlined for enhancement of productivity and profitability.
During feedback session, Ango Phom, a progressive farmer from Yongam village shared that he is cultivating crops like rice, maize, rubber, large cardamom, vegetables, chilly, onion, pulses etc for his household consumption as well as for selling.
Bongham, former Chairman from Nyang village spoke about success stories of mustard and pulses (black gram, green gram and lentil) cultivation and future strategies for fishery enterprises.
During input distribution programme, soil health cards, lentil, pea, mustard and neem oil were distributed to the farmers by the DC, Longleng. A training for application of neem to the infected crop was also imparted to the farmers. Altogether, 48 farmers from Mongtikang, Pongo, Sakshi, Oushok, Hukphang, Pongching, Tangha, Muli, Yongam, Nyang Village attended the daylong programme.
