Farmer-Scientist interaction on “Good Agricultural Practices” held in Chuchuyimpang village

Chuchuyimpang, 12 December (MTNews): The Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Ongpangkong North Block, conducted three major programs in CHuhcuyimapng village on 11 December 2023. The three programs included a Farmer-Scientist interaction on ‘Good Agricultural Practices’, mobilization of Ten Sisters Food Security Group, and inauguration Fish-Farming System Farm School.

Farmer-Scientist Interaction on ‘Good Agricultural Practices’
The main focus and objective of the program were to impart knowledge and awareness about modern and sustainable agricultural practices to strengthen and adapt the capacities of farmers, aligning with their changing needs. Good Agricultural Practices, scientific cultivation, and the increasing cost of cultivation are some of the major concerns faced by farmers.

The training was aligned with the needs of farmers to address their concerns, such as the identification and management of major pests and diseases in agriculture, horticultural crops, animal husbandry, and the use of various plant protection measures.

The program was chaired by Watisenla Imchen (BTM), ATMA, Ongpangkong North Block, Mokokchung. The resource persons of the training program were Sarenti (ACTO), Assistant Chief Technical Officer, Animal Science KVK, Yisemyong; Neken, Assistant Inspector, Fishery Department, Mokokchung; Nuksunginla Jamir, ATM, ATMA; and Tajungsola Jamir, ATM, ATMA.

During the interaction session, farmers raised questions related to crop production (early and late sowing), disease and pest management, such as Fall Army Worm in maize and Aphids in mustard, livestock (piggery and poultry), and orchard management (Mandarin orange). The resource persons catered to their questions and clarified their doubts. Schemes related to the Fishery Department, Mokokchung, were also discussed.

Mobilization of Ten Sisters Food Security Group
ATMA, Ongpangkong North Block, Mokokchung, mobilized the Ten Sisters Food Security Group, comprising 10 female members from Chuchuyimpang village on the 11th of December 2023. The purpose of the mobilization program for the Security Group is to encourage women farmers to take up kitchen gardening, aiming for self-sustainability and ensuring food security for themselves and their families.

Nuksunginla Jamir, ATM, Ongpangkong North Block, highlighted the importance of forming the group and imparted knowledge and resources, fostering a common interest to achieve shared benefits. The Food Security Group was also encouraged to develop self-help approaches, share production and marketing ideas by creating an environment for discussions, training, and information sharing.

Responsibilities of the group, such as bookkeeping, record maintenance, electing a Group representative, and assigning responsibilities, were also discussed. She also advised the members to open a bank account and maintain registers and records related to their activities. Altogether, 10 women farmers, along with ATMA staff, attended the program.
Inauguration of

Fish-Farming System Farm School
ATMA, Ongpangkong North Block, Mokokchung inaugurated a farm school at Chuchuyimpang village on the 11 December 2023.

The farm school, focusing on Fish-Farming Systems, was established to promote farmer-to-farmer extension for the effective transfer of agricultural technology within the farming community. During the inaugural program, a short session was conducted, in which Tajungsola Jamir, ATM, Ongpangkong North Block, delivered a keynote address, providing insights into the concept, functions, and objectives of the farm school. She also shared information about the duties and responsibilities of a farm teacher. I Pangerjungba Imsong was appointed as the farm school teacher, with 20 farmers joining as farm students.

Following the inauguration, a training session on “Composite and Integrated Fish-Farming System” took place. The resource person, Neken, Assistant Inspector, Fishery Department, Mokokchung, explained the basic principles of the composite fish culture system. This included stocking various fast-growing, compatible fish species with complementary feeding habits to efficiently utilize natural food in different ecological niches, maximizing fish production. He emphasized the importance and advantages of the composite fish culture system, which involves three combinations: culture of Indian major carps alone, culture of exotic carps alone, and culture of Indian and exotic carps together. Key considerations such as the application of fertilizers, stocking procedures, and the importance of integrated fish and animal husbandry systems were discussed.

Neken also explained the integration of fish culture in paddy fields, discussing essential requirements, characteristic features suitable for rice fields, constraints, and improved fish-paddy farming methodologies. He elaborated on pre-stocking and post-stocking pond management techniques, covering aspects such as eradication of weeds, dewatering, control of aquatic weeds, liming, manuring, and water parameters. For post-stocking management, he provided guidelines for land and weight of spawn, artificial feeding, and stocking density.

The package of practices for integrated farming was highlighted as being developed and verified extensively for economic viability and feasibility at the farmer’s level.

The program concluded with interaction and feedback from the farmers, and fish feeds were distributed. In total, 21 farm school students, along with ATMA staff, attended the program.