Dimapur, May 26 (MExN): Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Dimapur Aghunaqa block conducted demonstration programme for SHGs and women farmers of Zutoi and Zhekishe villages on May 25. Resource persons V. Kenny Rhetso, SMS (Home Sc), KVK and Vinika Aomi, JRF (ICAR), Jharnapani demonstrated together on the topic ‘value addition of fruits’ that included preparation of banana and jackfruit chips and encouraged SHGs to put on effort and take up such activities for side income as well as for self consumption.
In another programme, farmers from Vikheto, Tokishe, Zutoi and Zhekishe villages were imparted knowledge on the topic of ‘Fishery Pond Management’ and resource person Jyotish Barman, Scientist (ICAR), Jharnapani illustrated on pro-stocking, stocking and post-stocking management. He also added that cow-dung, pig dung is used as manure for the fishery pond, aquatic weeds should be removed and liming should be done usually after two days of manuring. He said that proper amount of fishes should be released according to the area and volume of the pond. He encouraged farmers to form a society and import fish fingerlings and set up hatcheries within village or in block level to avoid constraints faced by farmers like high costs, transportation, unhealthy fingerlings and involvement of middlemen.
Further, Dr. Ebibeni Ngulllie, SMS (Animal Sc), KVK, Jharnapani spoke on the topic ‘Piggery Management’ and said that pig rearing is one such farming which can be done as a specialized farm or as a component of mix farming or as subsidiary vocation. She emphasized on various methods of breeding, selection of stock, system of rearing, housing, gestation, farrowing, feeding, control of swine diseases, etc. Later, Resource person also demonstrated on the topic ‘Castration of piglets’ and explained thoroughly saying that a piglet should be atleast 2 months old and weigh around 8-9 kgs to be castrated. She highlighted that traditional method of castrating piglets at different villages in our state is always practiced using a small blade but care should be taken to avoid infection.
Field visit was undertaken at the integrated fishery farm of Tokugha, a progressive fishery farmer that comprises an area of 2.6 hectares at Zutoi village after the programme which was chaired by Sentibenla, ATM, Niuland block where 34 farmers marked their presence.
