The Office of the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO), Chiephobozou, Department of Agriculture, conducted a one-day training programme on Natural Farming under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) on March 6 at Tsiesema village in Kohima district.
Delivering the keynote address, Mhasikhotuo Mere, SDAO Chiephobozou, encouraged farmers to adopt natural farming practices for sustainable agriculture. He also advised farmers to cultivate climate-resilient crops such as Job’s tears and foxtail millet, noting that these crops are drought-tolerant and can fetch better prices even in local markets.
Agriculture officers, along with Krishi Sakhis (CRPs) under SDAO Chiephobozou, imparted training on various aspects of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) 2025–26 with the aim of promoting sustainability through the use of bio-inputs.
The trainees were first introduced to the basic concepts, relevance, scope, and constraints of natural farming in Nagaland. The programme also highlighted the hazardous effects of chemical use in agriculture, noting that it is harmful to human health and detrimental to the ecosystem, leading to deterioration in soil and water-use efficiency.
The training session also covered disease and pest management under natural farming. Farmers were demonstrated the use of light traps and other naturally available materials for pest control in their fields.
Additionally, training was provided on sowing techniques, compost preparation, clean cultivation methods, soil health management, and women’s empowerment through agricultural entrepreneurship.
