The Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Ongpangkong North Block, conducted a demonstration program on “Pro-Tray Nursery of Winter Vegetables” at Settsu village on August 28, 2024.
Tajungsola Jamir, ATM of Ongpangkong North Block, led a hands-on demonstration where seedling trays (pro-trays) were filled with growing mediums such as cocopeat, vermicompost, and perlite. One seed per cell was sown and covered with the medium by hand.
A small depression (0.5 cm) was made with a fingertip in the center of each cell of the pro-tray/plug tray for sowing vegetable seeds. She also emphasized the importance of irrigation and hardening of seedlings before transplanting them to the main field.
Additionally, she noted that transplanting should be done in the morning or evening hours in raised beds, maintaining the correct spacing between plants to optimize the utilization of light, nutrients, and water, which can impact crop yield.
A total of six female farmers attended the demonstration program. Inputs such as pro-trays, cocopeat, vermicompost, perlite, and winter vegetable seeds (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, knol khol, bok choy, and coriander) were distributed to each farmer.
Meanwhile, another demonstration program on “Nursery Bed Preparation of Cauliflower” was conducted at Mokokchung village, where resource person Watisenla Imchen provided hands-on instruction on nursery bed preparation, line sowing, spacing, maintenance, mulching, timely irrigation, and transplanting.
She also highlighted cultural methods to control pest infections in cauliflower using neem oil and yellow sticky traps. A total of four female farmers attended this demonstration program. Winter vegetable seeds such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, knol khol, bok choy, spinach, lettuce, coriander, and chili were distributed to each farmer.