ATMA Mokokchung conducts skill training on poultry rearing and management

Mopungchuket, 12 February (MTNews): The Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) program on “Poultry Rearing and Management” was organized by the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Mokokchung, in association with the State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI), Medziphema, and the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad, from 5 to 10 February 2024 at Mopungchuket village, Kubolong block, Mokokchung.

C Amongla Jamir, Block Technology Manager of Kubolong Block, ATMA Mokokchung, chaired the inaugural program, while Sentinaro Longchar, Deputy Project Director of ATMA Mokokchung, gave the keynote address. She highlighted the importance of skill training for rural youth and emphasized entrepreneurship development through skill training and dissemination of technology to the farming community for income generation. Furthermore, she urged the trainees to actively participate in the training program and equip themselves with the knowledge and skills necessary to start their own business.

The resource persons for the program were Dr Nemjemyanger, Farm Manager at the State Cattle Breeding Centre, Aliba, New Camp, and Dr Watitoshi, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon at the CVO, Mokokchung. They covered various topics such as the poultry farming scenario in Nagaland, system of poultry farming, different breeds for rural production, poultry housing, care and management, feeding, vaccination and deworming schedules, farm biosecurity, value addition, and economic aspects of poultry farming.

The group also visited a poultry farm at Mangkolong and interacted with the farm in-charge to discuss diseases, vaccination, and management practices carried out at the farm. In addition to group discussions, film shows, field visits, practical exercises in cost-benefit analysis with participants, and demonstrations on vaccination were also part of the training program.

During the interactive session, trainees shared their experiences in poultry farming and raised various queries. They also expressed satisfaction with the skills and knowledge imparted during the training program.

The week-long program concluded with a valedictory function where Mrs Sentinaro Longchar, Deputy Project Director of ATMA Mokokchung, delivered a valedictory speech encouraging the trainees to make good use of the acquired skills. This was followed by the distribution of certificates to all participants. Leaflets, vaccination schedule charts, minerals, feed supplements, and vaccines were provided to all participants. Altogether, 20 participants (11 male, 9 female) from Mopungchuket village, along with ATMA staff, attended the training.