ATMA functionaries trained on plant protection measures

Dimapur, August 31 (EMN): State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) has organised a three-day training programme on “Important plant protection measures for agricultural and horticultural crops with respect to Nagaland” for ATMA functionaries at SAMETI, Medziphema, from August 29 to 31.
Taking into account the need for crop management in the current season, the programme was focussed on imparting technical knowledge and skill to the participants through theoretical and practical sessions. ATMA functionaries from all districts of Nagaland attended the training programme.
Resource persons for the training programme were Dr. N Tiameren Ao, Associate Professor and Head Department of Plant Pathology, NU SASRD; Dr. Narola Pongener; Dr. S Banik, Assistant Professors, Department of Plant Pathology, NU SASRD; Dr. Pankaj Neog, Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology, NU SASRD; and J Akato Chishi, Senior Technical Assistant, Department of Entomology, NU SASRD.
The training course covered theoretical and practical sessions on bio control agents and their application for insect pest management; Botanicals and insect pest managements; Insect pests of major fruits and plantation and their management; Insect pests of major vegetables and flowers and their management; Diseases of fruit crops and their management; Diseases of cereals and their management; Diseases of pulse crops and their management.
The valedictory function was chaired by Dr. Ithika C Swu, Deputy Project Director SAMETI, while feedback on the training was given by Moanukshi, BTM Mokokchung, and Ms Abeni Patton, BTM Wokha.
In her valedictory address, Director of SAMETI, Dr. I Amenla emphasised on the need for cooperation and teamwork in order to work for the benefit of the farmers. Stating that ‘Green Revolution’ resulted in increased food production and correspondence increase in the use of chemical fertilisers, she urged the trainees to partake in going back to conserving nature by way of organic farming and leaving a legacy for the future generations.
She also cautioned the trainees to be wary while delivering technology so that farmers would be able to adopt what has been transferred. She also stressed on the importance of hard work so that the New India Manthan ‘Sankalp-Se-Siddhi” programme of doubling farmers’ income by 2022 would become a reality both in letter and in spirit.
She further encouraged the participants go back to their respective districts with this new perspective and work towards increasing the income of Naga farmers and making it at par with the fellow farmers at national level.
The training program concluded with distribution of certificates by Director of SAMETI, while the vote of thanks was pronounced by Vikaho Chophi, DPD SAMETI.