Morung Express News
October 18
DIMAPUR: A workshop on “Organic Cultivation & Post-Harvest Technology On Major Crops” jointly organized by the Indian Institute of Spice Research (IISR), Calicut, Department Of Horticulture, Nagaland and Spices Board, Dimapur got underway at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur today. Nyeiwang Konyak, Parliamentary Secretary, Horticulture was the chief guest of the workshop and Z.R. Yanthan, Deputy Director of Horticulture, Kohima Nagaland was the chairperson. The workshop began with the introduction of Resource Persons from Indian Institute of Spice Research (IISR), Calicut and District –Wise participants. Z.Z. Sema, Deputy Director of Horticulture, Kohima Nagaland gave the welcome address while vote of thanks was given by Dr.Elithung Lotha, District Horticulture Officer, Dimapur Nagaland.
Addressing the workshop on the topic” Problems and Prospect of Organic Farming,” Dr.G.S.Munda, ICAR Barapani Shillong stated that by applying organic farming, North Eastern Region with its favorable climatic condition and with proper selection of crops, would be able to produce and compete in the international market. He pointed out that the lack of awareness, lack of proper marketing channel, lack of processing and value added facilities; low incentives from the government, non-identification of accreditation and certifying agency on regional basis were the major weakness of the people of the North Eastern Region. “North Eastern Region is the home of niche crops like lemon, joha rice, passion fruit” stated Dr. Munda and added that the best quality of ginger and the major share of orange, pineapple and cardamom are grown in this region.
Dr.K.Kandianna, IISR Calicut, gave information on the concepts, principles, and practices of Organic Farming. “The principles of Organic Farming is to sustain and enhance the health of soil, plants, animals and man” said Dr.Kandianna and added that Organic Management must be adapted to local conditions, ecology and culture. Organic farming is gaining popularity and accepted by people all over the world, said Dr.Kandianna.
The topic “Organic Cultivation of Chilies in NE region –practices and trends” was addressed by Dr.D.S.Yadav, ICAR Research Complex for NE Region, Shillong.
“A very small area is cultivated with no fertilizers but the yield of chilies is very high” stated Dr.Yadav and said that it showed the potentiality of the region. He said that Nagaland had tremendous scope in production and export of chili.
The post lunch session was addressed by Dr.R.Dinesh, IISR, Calicut on the topic “Organic Nutrient Management in blackpepper, ginger and turmeric.”
While pointing out that 24% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) came from agriculture and allied sector, Dr.Dinesh lamented that agriculture as an activity was threatened by loss in fertility of the soil and had become the major concern of agriculture. “Chemical fertilizers have only selected nutrients and may lead to the deficiency of nutrients in plant and thus should use alternatives like Bio-Fertilizer, Bio-Pesticide, Organic manures etc which contain all nutrients” Dr.Dinesh said.
The workshop will continue till October 21.
