The Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Niuland, celebrated Mahila Kisan Diwas at the Training Hall, District Agriculture Officer’s Office, Niuland on the theme “Empowered Women Farmers for a Prosperous and Resilient Niuland.” The programme brought together progressive women farmers, agricultural officials, scientists and extension functionaries to recognise the contributions of women in agriculture and promote sustainable farming practices, food security and agricultural entrepreneurship.
The programme was chaired by Avitoli K Yeptho, Deputy Project Director, ATMA Niuland, who appreciated the women farmers of Niuland district for their dedication, resilience and contributions to agriculture. She expressed happiness over the participation of some of the district’s most progressive women farmers and acknowledged their vital role in strengthening the agricultural economy and rural livelihoods.
Delivering the keynote address, Thepusa Nakro, Project Director, ATMA and District Agriculture Officer, Niuland commended the hard work and contributions of women farmers towards agricultural development. Emphasizing the importance of food security, he encouraged farmers to recognize and utilize the district’s agricultural potential.
He highlighted that Niuland is blessed with favourable topography and abundant natural resources, offering significant opportunities for agricultural expansion, improved productivity and self-reliance.
Omegali, Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC), Niuland and also the special guest of the programme, highlighted the district’s vast untapped agricultural potential, observing that nearly 80 per cent of its land remains underutilized. She urged farmers and the concerned departments to work collectively towards identifying and promoting a high-potential crop that could be developed as a signature agricultural commodity of Niuland district, with prospects for national and international markets.
She further emphasized the need to strengthen local food security while exploring opportunities for commercial agriculture and economic development.
During the experience-sharing session, Kiyeli, a progressive woman farmer from Kuhoxu Village, shared her agricultural journey, highlighting the hardships, challenges and uncertainties associated with farming. Despite these difficulties, she emphasized that the satisfaction and sense of achievement following a successful harvest make the hard work worthwhile.
The technical session was conducted by Dr Ashwini Ananda, Scientist, AICRP on Vegetable Crops, Nagaland University, who discussed challenges in winter vegetable production and highlighted scientific practices to improve productivity and profitability. Emphasizing smart farming, he encouraged farmers to select suitable crops, follow appropriate planting seasons and spacing and adopt timely crop management practices.
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He also highlighted the importance of organic amendments, soil health and preventive plant protection measures, stressing that prevention is better than cure, particularly in organic farming, where managing pests and diseases after severe infestation or infection can be challenging. Therefore, he encouraged farmers to prioritise preventive measures, regular crop monitoring, maintenance of plant health and timely interventions to minimise crop losses.
Dr Bendangla Imsong, Chief Technical Officer, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Dimapur, also interacted with the participants and shared her experiences in agricultural extension and farmer development. She emphasized that even simple scientific practices, such as maintaining proper plant spacing, using the recommended seed rate and adopting line sowing, can bring significant improvements in crop productivity. She encouraged women farmers to adopt these practical, low-cost technologies to enhance agricultural production and improve their livelihoods.
The programme also featured a winter vegetable seed distribution initiative, aimed at encouraging seasonal vegetable cultivation, promoting household kitchen gardening and strengthening food and nutritional security among farming households.
The programme was also attended by Aketoli Chopy, Assistant Technology Manager (ATM), Aghunaqa Block and Demalu Hasnusa, Block Technology Manager (BTM), Niuland Block, along with other agricultural officials, ATMA functionaries and progressive women farmers from different parts of Niuland district.
The formal session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Vinatoli K Yeptho, Block Technology Manager (BTM), Aghunaqa Block, who expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, resource persons, organisers and participating women farmers for their valuable contributions towards the successful conduct of the programme.
