A farmers’ training-cum-input distribution programme was conducted at the IPM Model Village, Socunoma under Chümoukedima district, Nagaland on March 5. The programme was organized by the School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University (SAS, NU), Medziphema Campus under the project titled “Establishment of Crop-Based Model IPM Villages for Promotion of Integrated Pest Management Technologies in NEH Region of India.” The project is funded by ICAR–NRIIPM, New Delhi.

During the programme, farmers were trained on various aspects of Integrated Pest and Disease Management in vegetable crops. Prof Bireswar Sinha, Project Incharge and Professor, Department of Plant pathology, SAS, NU, delivered a lecture on Integrated Disease Management in vegetables and highlighted the importance of adopting eco-friendly disease management practices.

Dr Hijam Meronbola Devi Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, SAS, NU, explained the major diseases affecting vegetable crops and guided farmers on their identification and management through IDM approaches.

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Dr Hemanta, Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture, SAS, NU, spoke on improved vegetable cultivation practices including crop mulching and plant protection methods. Dr. Bendangsenla Longkumer, Project Assistant, demonstrated the use of biopesticides in vegetable crops and conducted a hands-on training session for the participating farmers. During the programme, agricultural inputs such as neem oil, yellow sticky traps, Trichoderma, biofertilizers, Beauveria bassiana, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), VAM, and Verticillium lecanii were distributed to the farmers of the adopted village.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Pelelhoutuo Hozoyeh of Socunoma village.