The Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Mokokchung, Changtongya Block, conducted a training on “Cultivation practices of Kharif crops” and capacity building programme on “Value addition on preparation of chilli pickle and Bitter eggplant chips” on April 14 at Liroyim village with Imlipokim ATM, Tuli Block and Toshirenla T Longkumer ATM, Changtongya Block as the resource persons.
During the training on kharif crop cultivation, Imlipokim explained various important techniques for effective farming. These included nursery bed preparation, timely sowing, correct spacing and planting density, appropriate fertilizer application, and crop protection strategies. He also introduced the use of “Minchu Plus,” a product effective in controlling the larval stage and reducing insect and pest infestation in maize cultivation. Eighteen female farmers attended the session and received agricultural inputs such as garden tools, seeds, and neem oil to support their farming activities.
In a parallel session on value addition, resource person Toshirenla T Longkumer addressed the importance of minimizing post-harvest losses by converting produce into value-added products like pickles, jams, squashes, and ready-to-serve (RTS) drinks. She elaborated on the processes involved in preparing pickles, including drying, pickling, canning, and dehydration. A hands-on demonstration followed, where participants learned to prepare chilli pickles and bitter eggplant chips. The session also covered packaging and marketing techniques. Ten female farmers from the Molungzunga Farmer Self-Help Group (FSG) actively took part in the training.
Further, on April 15, ATMA continued its efforts at Yaongyimsen village with a demonstration on “Cultivation Practices of Statice Flower” and a capacity-building programme titled “Capacity Building of Local Communities through Floriculture.” Toshirenla T Longkumer provided practical training on growing statice flowers, covering aspects such as transplanting, spacing, fertigation, harvesting, drying, and preservation. She emphasized that statice can be cultivated twice a year, ideally from late August to September and from late February to April. Participants were also shown how to sow seeds using trays. Eight female farmers attended the demonstration.
The subsequent floriculture training focused on empowering local communities economically through flower cultivation. Toshirenla T Longkumer highlighted the income-generating potential of floriculture, its contribution to rural development, and the need for skill development in areas like pest management, post-harvest handling, and market access.
Seventeen female farmers attended the programme and were provided with flower seeds, cocopeat, seed trays, and organic fertilizers.