A week-long Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) on “Integrated Pest Management in Crops” was conducted at Longmisa village in Mokokchung district from 16 to 22 November 2024. The training program was organized by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Mokokchung in collaboration with the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) and the State Agricultural Management and Training Institute (SAMETI), Nagaland.
The objectives of the program were to offer modular skill training opportunities to rural youths, including farmers and farm women, based on local needs, and to create a pool of skilled manpower to perform both farm and non-farm operations. With these objectives in mind, 18 rural youths were provided both theoretical and hands-on training on various aspects of pest management. Topics covered during the six-day programme included Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for cereals, pulses, cucurbits, vegetables, and post-harvest pest management, among others.
During the inaugural program, the keynote address was delivered by Dr Keviletsu Khate, Senior Scientist and Head of KVK Mokokchung. The resource person for the training was Martha Chakruno, Assistant Chief Technical Officer, Division of Entomology, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mokokchung.