Farmers training programme under conducted at Pughoboto
Agency
REGIONAL, May 01, 2024: A training session for farmers under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development (MOVCD) for NER was conducted by the SDAO, Pughoboto, under the Department of Agriculture at Pughoboto Wednesday. In his keynote address, Kitoho Michael Swu, SDAO Pughoboto, briefed the audience on MOVCD, a programme aimed at mobilising farmers to transition from conventional agriculture to organic agriculture with a focus on quality assurance, market linkage, and value chain infrastructure.
The MOVCD-NER project will be implemented under the managership of the Deputy Commissioner of Zunheboto, with COLKS serving as the third-party service provider. Currently, 500 farmers from 20 Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) in 10 villages (Puneboqa, Kitami, Ghokimi, Lazami, Mishilimi, Natsumi, Mukalimi, Iphonumi, Tuquliqa, and Ighanumi) are participating in the MOVCD-NER Phase IV, with Jobstear and Ginger as the selected export focus crops.
As the special guest at the event, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Pughoboto, Tiameren Chang, NCS, expressed appreciation to MLA Pughoboto AC, Dr Sukhato A Sema, and the SDAO Department for initiating the MOVCD project in Pughoboto. Chang emphasized the importance of utilising Nagaland's rich natural resources and taking advantage of various state government schemes and projects to make Nagaland a truly organic state, following the example of Sikkim.
He also challenged the farmers to strive for satisfactory production and even organise a Jobstear Festival in Pughoboto. He encouraged them to combine scientific knowledge with traditional practices to enhance agricultural production.
The first technical session included intensive training on the Package of Practices for Ginger by Kerilhoulie Rulu, ATM of Ghathashi Block, and the Package of Practices for Jobstear by Vivitoli Swu, ATM of Ghathashi Block. In the second technical session, Dr Alika N Zhimomi, SDO (Soil) from the Department of Soil & Water Conservation, highlighted the relevance, scope, and constraints of organic farming in Nagaland.
She also trained the farmers on soil conservation and management, as well as the production of on-farm inputs such as vermicompost. Dr S Kanitoli Chishi, BPM of NRLM Pughoboto, discussed rural livelihoods through organic farming and the role of women in agriculture, entrepreneurship, and self-help groups.
The training programme was well-attended by farmers from the 10 villages in Pughoboto subdivision.
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