The Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Mokokchung, in collaboration with SAMETI, Medziphema, and MANAGE, Hyderabad, conducted a six-day Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) program on “Fish Rearing and Management” from November 25 to 30, 2024 at Aopenzu village, Tuli Block, Mokokchung. The aim of the program was to impart skill-based training, create self-employment opportunities for rural youth, and facilitate their growth as entrepreneurs in fish rearing and management.
The training was organized in light of the fact that, despite available resources, aquaculture has had limited impact in the state. The state’s production remains far from self-sufficient, with challenges such as hilly terrain, lack of adequate funds, insufficient technical knowledge, and a lack of professional support contributing to this situation.
Noken Ozukum, Assistant Fishery Inspector and CEO, FFDA, Dimapur, and Neken Kichu, Assistant Fishery Inspector, Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Mokokchung, served as resource persons. They covered various topics, including the introduction to fish and fish farming in Nagaland, an overview of potential benefits and constraints, pond management, site selection and pond construction, soil quality testing, types of ponds, stock management, pre-stocking, post-stocking care, fish diseases, integrated farming systems (such as Paddy-cum-Fish, Pig-Fish, Chicken-Duck-cum-Fish), freshwater prawn farming, composite fish culture, eco-cap hatcheries, and economics of fish culture. The training also included hands-on demonstrations on liming, manuring, pH testing, dissolved oxygen levels in the pond, plankton estimation, disease identification, and preparation of potash mixtures for remedial measures.
In a keynote address, Sentinaro Longchar, Deputy Project Director (DPD), ATMA, Mokokchung, introduced the program and encouraged participants to engage actively in the training to improve their skills and knowledge.
The valedictory program was presided over by Imlisunep Ajem, Block Technology Manager (BTM), Tuli Block. Sentinaro Longchar congratulated the participants for completing the training program and distributed certificates to all attendees. Evaluation and feedback were also collected from the participants. A total of 18 participants attended the Skill Training program.