Mokokchung, February 25 (MTNews): Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Mokokchung, in association with State Agricultural Management & Extension Training Institute (SAMETI), Medziphema, and MANAGE, Hyderabad, conducted a six-day Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) program at Lonjemdang village under Mangkolemba Block, Mokokchung, on the topic “Post-Harvest Processing and Packaging of Fruits and Vegetables” from 14th-19th February 2022.
The week-long training started with an inaugural programme chaired by Amenla Jamir, ATM, Mangkolemba Block. Sentinaro Longchar, Deputy Project Director, ATMA, Mokokchung, gave a brief introduction about Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) program and highlighted the training details and its aim to impart skill to the rural youth which would help them in creation of income and employment generation activities.
The resource persons for the training were Toshirenla Longkumer, ATM, Chantongya Block, Mokokchung; Abenla B Jamir, ATM, Tsurangkong Block; Sentinaro Longchar, Deputy Project Director; Amenla Jamir and Alemnungla Longkumer, ATM, Mangkolemba Block.
Theoretical sessions on importance of value addition, value addition of fruits and vegetables, basic concepts on post-harvest technology, pre-harvest treatment, good practices in harvest handling, storage and consumption for safe vegetables, and techniques of preservation of fruits and vegetables were covered. Practical session and hands on demonstration on preparation of orange marmalade; squash from locally available fruits such as orange, carambola etc., roselle jam, pickle from ber, eggplant, mix vegetable, chilli and garlic pickle, etc.,were demonstrated by the resource persons.
The program concluded successfully with feedback and evaluation from the participants while valedictory speech was delivered by Sentinaro Longchar, Deputy Project Director, ATMA, Mokokchung, and certificates were distributed to all the participants. Altogether, 15 participants from Longjemdang village attended the skill training programme. Inputs such as sealing machine, packaging pouch bags and spices were distributed to the participants. This was informed in a press release issued by District Agriculture Officer & PD ATMA, Mokokchung, Nagaland.