Weather based Integrated Agro Advisory for the month of November 2021

As per India Meteorological Department the district rainfall departure of our region for the month of October, November 2021, was normal for Kiphire, large deficient for Dimapur and Phek and deficient for the remaining district.

Total monthly rainfall received in Dimapur district during November month was 0.0 mm. The number of rainy days was 0. From January to November 2021 rainfall received was 36% less than the normal. Keeping in view of threat of COVID-19 spread farmers are advised to follow the government guidelines, personal hygiene, use mask, ensure hand washing with soap at reasonable interval, social distancing during picking of vegetables and other agricultural operation in all crops.

Agronomy –LK Baishya

1. After harvest of paddy, zero tillage/ minimum tillage should be done in the field to conserve soil moisture for sowing of linseed.
2. Life saving irrigation to field crops and vegetables should be done at timely intervals through sprinkler and drip irrigation system respectively.
3. Mulching should be done to the fruits and vegetables to reduce water loss from the field.

Plant Breeding & Genetics –Harendra Verma

1. Farmers are advised to grow T-67 toria variety for late sown condition.
2. First weeding should be completed by 1^st week of December i.e 20 days after sowing in toria, field pea, green pea and other vegetable crops.
3. Apply second split of urea fertilizer to meet out nitrogen requirement.
4. Rough out off plant in seed production field.
5. Harvested product of kharif season crop should be dried properly before storing them in air tight container to prevent entry of moisture to avoid spoilage of seeds.

Soil Science – Christy BK Sangma and Rokozeno Chalie

1. For monocropping, after harvest of rice, straws can be left standing in the field for moisture conservation and addition of organic matter.
2. Mulching of soil can be done with straws or leaves or polythene.
3. For cultivation/ sowing of vegetables like cabbage, mustard, rapeseed, cauliflower, onion soil should be well ploughed. A fine seedbed is required for good germination.
4. In case of crops infected by soil borne diseases like wilt, root rot etc - biocontrol agent like Trichoderma can be applied.
5. Do not keep the soil bare. Use cover crops to conserve nutrients as well as moisture.
6. For overall growth and development, chickpea if sown, should be irrigated thrice, one at pre sowing, one at branching and another at pod filling stage.

Spices, Plantation, Medicinal & Aromatic plants – Azeze Seyie

1. LARGE CARDAMOM: Earthing up of the plant base and root zone with topsoil is recommended during October- December.
2. BLACK PEPPER:  Adequate mulch with green leaf or organic matter should be applied to avoid moisture stress to the black pepper vines. The base of the vines should not be disturbed so as to avoid root damage.
3. Harvesting in black pepper may commence from December – January. It is important to harvest pepper at the proper stage of maturity in order to achieve a dried product of good colour and appearance. Harvesting should be done when one or two berries turn yellow. The quality of the black pepper can be improved by a simple treatment of dipping the mature berries taken in perforated vessel in boiling water for a minute before drying. This will give uniform coloured black pepper, less microbial load, can be dried in 3-4 days and helps in removing extraneous impurities like dust from the berries.  

Plant Protection (Entomology) – Moanaro Lemtur

1. Replace yellow sticky traps in the vegetables field to avoid fungal growth for monitor the pest population.
2. Apply neem cake @ 250 kg/ha to plant beds while planting tomato and chilli and repeat after 30 days for managing sucking pests.
3. Deep ploughing in the first fortnight of December in mango orchard, raking the soil around the tree trunk to prevent Nymphs of mealy bug, Drosicha mangifera climbing back to trees.
4. In Litchi orchard, mite affected shoots should be removed before new flush and flowers starts.

Poultry –Mahak Singh and Talimoa

Winter is vulnerable period for poultry so proper care should be taken.

1. Lighting:

1. Broilers - 23 hours light and 1 hour darkness may be provided.
2. Layer birds - 14-16 hours of bright light is required for peak production.

2. Warmth and dryness:

1. Keep the poultry warm by using high watt filament bulbs.
2. Floor and litter material should be dry. If possible put in a fresh batch of deep litter atleast 6 inches deep for the winter months.
3. Brooders for chicks should be properly maintained.

3. Broilers should be provided 1.0 square feet floor space for adult birds and 2.5 sq feet for layers and other dual purpose varieties.
4. Coccidiosis: In overcrowded conditions, this disease is very catastrophic. Avoid overcrowding and if red droppings are seen, immediately treat with coccidian specific drugs.
5. Deworm and vaccinate on schedule.

Piggery – Mahak Singh and Talimoa

1. Piglets require special attention and care during winter. Provide warm bedding material to the piglets. Piglet diarrhoea should be treated immediately as piglets are highly susceptible to cold shock and dehydration. Keep the floor dry at all times.
2. Provide more high energy feeds ingredients in the ration like maize, broken/crushed rice and rice polish. Provide groundnut cake or soya meal.
3. Provide protection from direct cold wind blasts/drafts.
4. Avoid feeding cabbage leftovers without properly cooking.
5. Kitchen/ hotel/ market waste should be boiled in hot water for atleast 45 minutes before feeding.
6. Disinfect pig shed after washing away all debris with water. KMnO4/Phenyl may be used.
7. If African swine fever is prevalent in the locality it is good to use specific disinfectant such as viroxide or sodium hypochlorite.
8. Provide sufficient water for drinking.
9. Deworm and vaccinate on schedule.

Fishery- Jyotish Barman

Due to decrease in water level and temperature during winter months, culture fish comes under stress and are vulnerable to several diseases. In order to maintain good health, it is necessary to keep the pond clean and maintain optimum water quality. The following measures should be taken.

1. Apply lime after testing the soil and water to maintain optimum pH and as prophylactic treatment.
2. If there is deposition of organic waste in the pond bottom, it has to be removed.
3. Remove aquatic weeds from the pond as well as embankment.
4. Washing of clothes and utensils, bathing of human and animals should be avoided.
5. Discourage entry of birds and animals in to the pond as they may carry germs detrimental to fish.
6. Care should be taken that fish are not injured. If injured, the fish should be dipped in 1 ppm potassium permanganate solution for one minute before releasing into the pond.
7. Diseased or moribund fish should be mixed with lime and buried in a pit at a distance from the pond.
8. If the pond has sufficient water (minimum 1.5m depth), then feeding @ 16kg/ha/day should be continued.
9. If there is algal bloom on the pond surface, suspend feeding and manuring immediately for 15 days.
10. Since, water level usually declines during winter month; fish of bigger size should be harvested to reduce the stocking load.