Dimapur, Sep. 8 (EMN): Making an obnoxious alien weed into something useful, the Krishi Vigan Kendra (KVK) Dimapur, ICAR Nagaland centre, Jharnapani conducted an ‘awareness cum demonstration programme on compost making from Parthenium’ at Ekhyo Yan (Domokhia) village on Sep. 7 where the villagers were enlightened about the harmfulness of the weed and also demonstrated the technique of making manure out of the plant.
“Parthenium hysterophorus” (scientific name) but commonly known as ‘carrot weed’ or ‘congress grass’ is an obnoxious alien weed having its origin in Mexico. It was introduced accidently in India along with the wheat grains imported from America under PL-480 scheme during the era of food shortage. Initially Parthenium hysterophorus was noticed in Pune and Maharastra in 1955.
“This weed is spreading very fast along roadsides, forest land, pastures, grasslands, fallow lands and kitchen gardens in Dimapur districts of the Nagaland state,” stated a press release issued by Anamika Sharma, PC, KVK Dimapur.
Therefore, to create awareness on the ill effects of carrot weed, the KVK, Dimapur organized the workshop at Ekhyo Yan (Domokhia) village where the villagers were highly enlightened about what could otherwise be called a common grass found aplenty in the area.
During the programme Ch. Roben Singh, (ACTO) Agronomy, KVK Dimapur told the farmers about the ill-effects of parthenium weed, such as dermatitis, asthma, nasal-dermal and nasal-bronchial types of diseases.
Besides these, it also causes several other problems in parks such as blockage of common pathways; not only that, the plant also infests every type of crop, orchards, plantation and forest.
“It severely reduces the crop productivity besides loss to biodiversity and environment which is becoming a worldwide problem,” said the release while adding that the farmers were also made aware regarding the life cycle of the carrot weed and integrated management of this weed through different methods.
James Kikon (ACTO) Soil Science to the farmers demonstrated on the method of compost making by utilizing the parthenium plant. The release further stated that the Chairman Ekhyo Yan (Domokhia) Village, Nribemo Lotha proposed the vote of thanks. A total of 60 farmers participated in the programme.
