NU SASRD organises farmers training and input distribution programme

Dimapur, October 7 (EMN): The School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD), Nagaland University, Medziphema campus, on Thursday organised a one day farmers training and input distribution programme at Medziphema village.

The training programme is part of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Sesame under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

According to a press release, 40 farmers attended the training programme and were inculcated on the importance and need for oilseed cultivation in Nagaland. Apart from the training, the farmers were also presented with small tools and farm implements.

The programme started with an introductory remark by Dr. A. P. Singh, principal investigator of the project, who highlighted on the need for oilseed cultivation in Nagaland followed by a brief presentation on the importance of oilseeds in human health by Prof. L. Tongpang Longkumer, head of the department of agronomy, Nagaland University.

The training programme ended with a presentation from Dr. Debika N., Assistant Professor, department of agronomy, who spoke on package and practices of major oilseeds cultivation.

According to the department of agriculture, government of Nagaland, “Oilseed cultivation is undertaken across the state in about 67.52 thousand hectares, mainly on marginal lands, which is mainly confined to rainfed farming.”

Nagaland’s diverse agro-ecological conditions are favourable for growing seven annual oilseed crops, which include six edible oilseeds (groundnut, rapeseed, mustard, soybean, sunflower, sesame) and one non-edible oilseed (linseed).