Mokokchung, 6 February (MTNews): The Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Mokokchung, in association with SAMETI, Medziphema, and MANAGE, Hyderabad, conducted a six-day Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) program on “Piggery Rearing and Management” from January 29 to February 3, 2024, at the Community hall, Longjang village under Kubolong block, Mokokchung.
The training program aimed to impart the necessary skills to enhance the ability and opportunities for income generation and sustainable livelihood for rural youths in livestock-based vocational areas, thereby enabling access to an improved standard of living by facilitating their growth as entrepreneurs in pig rearing.
The training program commenced with an inaugural program chaired by C Amongla Jamir, Block Technology Manager, ATMA, Kubolong Block, Mokokchung. Bendangsunep Aier, Associate pastor Youth, Longjang Baptist Arogo, pronounced the invocation. The welcome speech was delivered by Satemkaba, Farmer Friend (Longjang & Khanimu), while a keynote address was given by Sentinaro Longchar, Deputy Project Director, ATMA, Mokokchung, stressing the main objective of the program to empower rural youths with adequate skills sets enabling employment in relevant sectors and improving productivity.
Following the inaugural session, Sentinaro Longchar, Deputy Project Director, ATMA, Mokokchung, provided a brief introduction to the STRY program and highlighted its aims and objectives. She encouraged all participants to actively participate during the six-day training course.
The resource persons for the program were Dr Toshiwati, Farm Manager, State Pig Breeding Centre, Merangkong, Tuli, and Dr Nemjemyanger, Farm Manager, State Cattle Breeding Centre, Aliba, New Camp.
The resource persons covered a wide range of topics, including Selection of Site and Housing for Pig Sty, Selection of Breed and Breeding Management, Feeding of Pigs, Common Diseases in Pigs, Farm Biosecurity, Vaccination and Deworming, Disease Reporting and Outbreak Management, and Economics of Pig Farming, all tailored to enhance participants’ skills and maximize swine production. Each session concluded with discussions and interactions to exchange experiences and views on different problems in pig rearing.
As part of the practical aspect, a field visit to a piggery unit was conducted, where the resource persons suggested procedures for cleaning pig sties and disinfection and advised participants to maintain regular cleaning and hygiene to prevent illness and spreading from one pig sty to another.
The program concluded successfully with a Valedictory program where Sentinaro Longchar, Deputy Project Director, ATMA, Mokokchung, delivered the valedictory speech and distributed certificates to the participants. Dewormers, leaflets, and vaccination schedule charts were distributed to all participants. Evaluation and feedback from the participants were also collected.
Altogether, 16 participants (9 males, 7 females) from Longjang village and ATMA staff attended the skill training.