REPORT ON TRAINING OF MASTER TRAINERS ON AGRONOMY/TERRACE RICE CULTIVATION

Venue              :           SAMETI Training Hall, Aizawl, Mizoram

Training on Agronomy/ Terrace Rice Cultivation was held during 14^th- 18^th October, 2019 organised by FOCUS (Fostering Climate Resilient Upland Farming Systems in the North East) Mizoram in collaboration with the FAO. The training was attended by FOCUS staff, KVK Scientists, Soil Water Conservation Rangers along with the resource persons from the FAO. Dr. Lalhmingthanga, Deputy Director (AHVD) and Mrs. Rosy Lalmuansangi Hmar, Deputy Director (LR&SWC) also attended the Inaugural programme where they welcomed everyone; highlight the various goals and objectives of FOCUS Project and encouraged the trainees to grab maximum information during the training.

Day 1: Dr. Sapu Changkija in his presentation showed several indigenous practise followed by the Nagas which help in afforestation process and also informed the members that Jhum farming is community based and can be improved only when the whole community participate. Dr. D. Thakuria also mentioned that in order to bring farmers from traditional to settled hill farming, semi settled jhum farming should be introduced. The day one training itself widened our knowledge and overall was very fruitful for the trainees and ended with a film show/ documentary.

Day 2: The training was mainly on Soil and Bee keeping. We visited soil laboratory where soil organic carbon content and N,P,K percent were tested by the workers. We were also taught how to take soil sample, especially on the hill slopes and several do’s and dont’s were also learned. It was concluded that bee keeping is very much useful in the Jhum field and can also be used for subsidiary income by the farmers.

Day 3: We had field visit to Thingdawl farm managed by Dept. of Agriculture, KVK Kolasib and Centre of Excellence (COE) managed by Horticulture Department. It was the most fruitful training as the farm was managed in excellent form where we were able to witnessed vermi compost making, azolla cultivation (compost is also made), visit Bio-control lab and various activities undertaken by the farm. We were able to have interaction with the KVK Office staff after lunch and also visit COE on our way to Aizawl.

Day 4: The main highlight of the training was the panel discussion with Mr. Mark Lalduhsaka, Managing Director, One Organic Partnership. He shared the current marketing undertaken by them including the various problems faced by the farmers and the entrepreneurs. He suggested the members to identify 2-3 farmers whose mindset can be changed, build their capacity so that others may also adopt from them and also to always introduce crops based on the availability of the market as means of marketing can always exist if crops produce is large. Presentation on Agroforestry was also helpful as it help us to know more about the existing medicinal and plantation trees/ crops in our state. The resource person delivered the training in Mizo which enable interest in the trainers where a very fruitful discussion was held after. 

Day 5:  The training was mainly in regard to Bio-control which I felt was an important topic and gave us awareness to the different activities that was carried out in other parts of the state or universities. Dr. Thakuria also suggested the trainers to develop Expert System in Mizo so that all the farmers including the FOCUS staff can make use of it. Afternoon session was used to discuss Paddy cum fish culture and it felt like most of the trainees were very much interested in it. The resource person helped us to identify several dos and donts, suggest technical know-how and also exercised on district wise potential in regard to the paddy cum fish culture. The discussion was also helpful and as per request from the members, prawn and crab culture were also discussed. After evaluation, all the members were requested to give overall feedback on the training where everyone had hearty interaction. The training session was concluded with distribution of certificates.