The Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Peren Ahthibung Block organised a Within District Training and two Demonstration Program at Lilen Village on banana cultivation and on vermicompost on 21 February 2025.

The event was chaired by Lhaihoichong and the resource Persons were ATMA functionaries’ Keneingunuo Sorhie and Lireni Lotha, a press release from ATMA Ahthibung Block informed. The program started with a welcome address by the chairperson who briefly explained the purpose of visit.

ATM Keneingunuo who is well equipped with the knowledge of Banana cultivation trained the participants on “Cultivation Practices of Banana” and simultaneously carried out a Demonstration on “Proper selection of sword sucker in banana”. During the training program, she taught the farmer the technical Knowledge of cultivation practices like selection of best suited banana cultivars, time of planting, propagation material, spacing as per cultivars, Pest & disease management.

With the help of photos and samples of banana saplings she educated the participants & helped them to differentiate between sword and water sucker in banana plant to select quality propagating material.

This was followed by a Demonstration Program on “Vermicompost bed Preparation” making use of farm waste, cocopeat as bedding material, grit and red-wiggler earthworm in a HDPE vermi beds. The resource persons also discussed the cost benefit ratio and encouraged the farmers to venture into commercial marketing instead of sticking to subsistence agriculture forever.

Vermicompost samples, red-wiggler, cocopeat was distributed to the participants. Saplings of a banana variety – Grand nine was also introduced to the participants. Altogether 20 farmers participated. The program ended with light refreshment and photo session.