Agri Dept conducts organic farming training for four villages in Kohima

October 7, 2024 9 Views No Comment

Kohima, October 7 (MExN): Aimed at empowering farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge to embrace organic farming practices, the Department of Agriculture, Government of Nagaland conducted a comprehensive training program under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) Phase-4.

The training program provided by Green Caravan, the service provider for MOVCDNER, under the Department of Agriculture was successfully organized in the villages of Chiechama, Tuophema, Tuophe Baze, and Botsa under Kohima district on October 5.

The event began with an invocation by Lhoubeilie Rupreo, Head Deacon of Chiechama Baptist Church, setting a solemn and respectful tone for the program. This was followed by an exhortation from Mhasikhotou Mere, Sub-Divisional Agricultural Officer (SDAO) of Chiephobozou. In his speech, Mere encouraged the farmer beneficiaries to uphold the core principles of organic farming and to strictly adhere to the guidelines of the MOVCDNER scheme.

He emphasized the long-term benefits of sustainable agriculture and the importance of the farmers’ commitment to organic practices.

Pukuolie Chadi, Head GB of Chiechama Village Council also addressed the gathering expressing support for the initiative and underscoring the importance of community participation in the program. He praised the farmers for their active involvement and urged them to continue working together for the betterment of the local agricultural landscape.

The technical session of the program focused on three key aspects of the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) guidelines. The topics covered included organic certification, Internal Control System management at the farmers’ level, and market linkage opportunities for organic produce. These sessions were designed to equip the farmers with the technical know-how required to successfully implement organic farming methods and navigate the certification process.

The training program is expected to have a significant impact on the farmers in the region, as the villages involved—Chiechama, Tuophema, Tuophe-Phezou, and Botsa—form the Tuophezou Organic Producer Company Ltd., an important collective for organic production in the area.

Farmers who attended the training expressed their gratitude for the opportunity, stating that the knowledge gained would greatly benefit their agricultural practices and help them achieve greater economic sustainability through organic farming.

The Department of Agriculture, in partnership with The Green Caravan, plans to continue supporting farmers in their organic farming journey, ensuring that they receive the necessary training and resources to succeed in the organic market.