Emilo Khuvung
Zubza (Kohima) | August 1
The 40-year-old, State Soil and Water Conservation Research, Demonstration and Training Center, located at Sechu, Zubza, is among the oldest training center that provides one of the best quality education in the state in spite of the poor infrastructure.
The center offers courses in Social Sciences, Soil & Water Conservation Engineering, Argonomy, Forestry, Horticulture and Agriculture Extension Education, Agricultural Economics, Animal Husbandry and Personal Development.
The Center has an area of 52 acres consisting of spatial plots for research, demonstration and other activities, since its inception. The Training Center which is around 1 km from National Highway 39 has maximum facilities, in spite of the poor road condition and infrastructures. It is stated that the center has trained more than 385 students who are currently serving in the government sector. It may be mentioned that Department has received Special Plan Assistant of more than three crores for developmental activity.
Speaking to this correspondent, the Assistant Soil Conservation Officer (Research), Myansao Lotha, Assistant Research Officer, Ruokuosietuo and Assistant Soil Survey Officer, Kevimeo Khatso said the developmental activities are already in action and it is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The centre is equipped with different subjects- Model Organic Farm, Vermiculture Hatchery, Nursery, Meteorological Observatory for weather forecasting, Mini Soil Testing laboratory, Run-off plots, water harvesting pond and water harvesting structures, etc.
Lotha also said the center has varieties of 30-40 different tree species, 10-15 fruits and different varieties of bamboos are also available in the center and other horticulture crops have been planted for studies and identification and very soon the center will also open a botanical garden.
The multipurpose pond became the center of attraction which is said to be the most beneficial preserving pond used for irrigation, mode of farming, ground water recharge and with hundreds of fishes been reared.
It is remarkable to learn when the officials said that as organic farming increases, the earthworm garbage after vermin compost has benefitted the centre as it is sold for Rs 15 per kg during exhibitions. The benefits were said to be yield increase in volume and improved quality, better taste and color of fruit, vegetable, rich in quality and seeds which have a higher germination capacity and also drought and disease resistance up to 70% less water and 60% crop increase. They also said that maximum nutrients are found in vermin compost which is very high for use in organic farming as it contains enzymes that is best for crops.
ASCO and his colleagues also said that in 2008 the center harvested 4.5 tones of turmeric which was used for conducting research. The Center also conducts training for the farmers residing in the neighboring area from time to time.
Besides Education, the trainees are also given an amount of Rs 500 as stipend. The Faculty members said, so far the training center has imparted diploma course training to pre-service SCAs up to 17 batches and has also conducted numerous short term trainings to the field officers of the department and the farmers.
