STINER organises training on scientific organic agriculture

DIMAPUR — In an innovative collaboration between Science and Technology Intervention in North-Eastern Region-Technology Facilitation Centre (STINER-TFC) NU:SAS, Medziphema Campus and North East Centre for Technology and Reach (NECTAR), a five-day training programme was held to promote scientific organic agriculture in North-East India under the PM-DevINE scheme funded by the Ministry of DoNER.

The training was conducted from July 15 to the 19th July at STINER-TFC, NU:SAS, Medziphema campus. The training brought together 20 master trainers from four implementing agencies – ICCOA, KVSS, Sheel Biotech and Access Development Service, an update stated.

The project envisions forming organic clusters within North- East for which master trainers training was organised so as to build the master trainers in organic farming methods. The training objective was to demonstrate on various bio pesticides, its application process and to discuss the various importance of bio-control agent in organic farming.

The training was conducted under the initiative of Prof. Akali Sema, project in charge, STINER-TFC and PVC, NU, who highlighted the role of STINER in entrepreneurship development in the state and the importance of empowering communities towards economic resiliencies.

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In the course of the training, Dr. Sunita Upadhaya, research associate at NECTAR, emphasised on role of farm lab and organic farm lab designs and management of farm lab. The programme was followed by technical session where live demonstration of bio pesticides, various preparation on farm inputs were delivered by Dr. Otto Awomi, assistant professor, Living Bible College.

Dr. Awomi discussed the importance of plant protection in sustainable agriculture production technology, followed by demonstration of indigenous preparation of bio pesticides like Neemastra and Agniastra.

Prof. L Tongpang Longkumer, NU:SAS, Medziphema campus, gave detailed insights on farm organic inputs, economical and social benefits of organic farming and its application methods.

This was followed by field demonstration and preparation of vermicompost by. Bikram Ghimere, project assistant, STINER-TFC. The participants were imparted with skills and knowledge to launch successful ventures in organic farming.

Bakul Chandra Saikai, state officer, NECTAR, spoke on biological pests and highlighted the importance of bio control agent in organic farming, its potential uses for bio pest control.

 The training concluded with an exposure trip where the participants visited Integrated Extension Training Centre (IETC) Dept. of Agriculture, and organic pineapple farm at Molvum village. A total of 20 master trainers attended the training, it stated.