Kohima Bureau
Kohima, July 23 (EMN): At a time when the market is flooded with chemically treated vegetables and artificially ripened fruits, which are extremely hazardous and pose health problems, an organisation has taken the onus of encouraging people to take up organic and natural farming to put an end to chemically enhanced produce.
The Earth Friendly Generation (EFG) in collaboration with Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, New Delhi has organised a two-day state level training programme on organic and natural farming for NGOs, VOs, CBOs, government departments in Nagaland.
The inaugural programme was held on July 23 at State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) conference hall, new secretariat, which saw the presence of Rajeev Nirmal, programme officer VYK, New Delhi.
Highlighting the concept of the programme, Khrieketoulie Metha, assistant director EFG explained that organic agriculture is an integrated production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity balancing environment.
Also explaining in brief the harmful effects of chemically treated fruits and vegetables that are available in the market, Metha said through this training programme it aims to make agriculture sustainable, restore ecological balance, improving soil quality, health, promote indigenous crops, and an end to chemical farming.
As one of the resource persons of day one, Dikugong Esalung, Founder and Director, Rural Community Development Centre Society (RCDCS) has given an introduction to organic farming and principles of organic farming.
He explained that according to United States Department of Agriculture, the term organic farming is a system which avoids or largely excludes the uses of fertilizers, pesticides and feed additives.
Organic farming concept, he said is not new in India that has been followed since ancient time which primarily aimed at cultivating the land and raising crops to keep the soil alive in good health by use of organic waste (crop waste, animal, farm waste) and beneficial microbes to release nutrients to crops increasing sustainable production in an eco friendly pollution free environment.
Esalung also highlighted in brief the difference between organic farming as against chemical farming and the various chemical pesticides that are used to kill weeds, bugs, get rid of diseases etc.
Other topics covered includes step by step conversion to organic agriculture, minerals essential for plants, testing the quality of soil and its management, crop planning and management in organic agriculture and water management.
Meanwhile giving a brief introduction, Nirmal said VYK is a pioneering organisation in the field of youth development which was set up by the Indian Youth Centres Trust.
Its primary vision besides others, he informed is to orient the youth to the developmental process and enable them to participate in the process of nation building, enable youth to acquires such knowledge, skills and techniques which will help them in their personal and social growth as well as foster sensitivity among them towards problems in the community.
The second day of the training will discuss on proper handling of farm and household wastes, animal husbandary in organic agriculture, pest and disease management, harvesting and storage, economic viability and marketing, cluster making, vermin-compost unit etc.
