Nagaland agriculture dept advices farmers to follow safety measure

A traditional paddy filed with hut somewhere in Nagaland. (Morung Photo) 
 

Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 15

In order to avoid the field level contagious spread of Corona virus during farming activities, the state’s agriculture department advised the farmers of Nagaland to follow the precautionary and safety measure.

In a pamphlet launched here recently, it advised the farmers to maintain 4-5 feet spaced or line assigning one strip to one farmer or labour in case of any manual field operations.

This will ensure adequate spacing between the engaged labours by maintaining social distancing, the advisory note stated.

All the farmers should compulsorily use mask or a scarf that adequately cover the nose and mouth. Ensure hand washing with soap and water frequently. Cloths must be washed after use every day, it stated.

Other advisory includes; maintain safe distance of 3-4 feet during rest, taking meals and do not share meal with each other. Also, drink plenty of water during farm operations to avoid dehydration, stagger (plan in phase manner) the field operation where ever possible and avoid engaging more number of farmers on the same day in a given field, engage only the healthy farmers or labourers to the extent possible and after reasonable enquiry so as to avoid the entry of any likely carrier during field activity. All agricultural tools/implements or any other items used by one farmer should be sanitized and should not exchange in any manner.

Further, it advised the farmers to follow the standard safety measures during their visit to market for purchase of farm inputs or sale of products so as to avoid crowding.