Officials along with the participants pose for a photo during the Mahila Kisan Diwas at the District Agriculture Officer’s Office in Niuland on October 15.
Niuland, October 15 (MExN): The Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Niuland, celebrated Mahila Kisan Diwas at the Training Hall of the District Agriculture Officer’s Office on Thursday, highlighting the role of women farmers in agricultural development, food security and rural livelihoods.
The programme was organised under the theme “Empowered Women Farmers for a Prosperous and Resilient Niuland” and brought together progressive women farmers, agricultural officials, scientists and extension functionaries to promote sustainable farming practices and agricultural entrepreneurship.
Delivering the keynote address, Thepusa Nakro, Project Director, ATMA, and District Agriculture Officer, Niuland, commended the contributions of women farmers to agricultural development and stressed the importance of food security.
He urged farmers to recognise and utilise the district’s agricultural potential, noting that its favourable topography and abundant natural resources offered opportunities to expand cultivation, improve productivity and achieve self-reliance.
Special guest Omegali, Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC), Niuland, highlighted the district’s untapped agricultural potential, stating that nearly 80 per cent of its land remained underutilised.
She urged farmers and concerned departments to work together to identify and promote a high-potential crop that could become a signature agricultural commodity of Niuland, with prospects for national and international markets. She also stressed the need to strengthen local food security while exploring opportunities for commercial agriculture and economic development.
During an experience-sharing session, Kiyeli, a progressive woman farmer from Kuhoxu village, spoke about the hardships, challenges and uncertainties associated with farming. She said the satisfaction and sense of achievement following a successful harvest made the hard work worthwhile, encouraging fellow women farmers to persevere and remain committed to agriculture.
The technical session was conducted by Dr Ashwini Ananda, scientist under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Vegetable Crops at Nagaland University, who discussed challenges in winter vegetable production and scientific practices to improve productivity and profitability.
Emphasising smart farming, he advised farmers to select suitable crops, follow appropriate planting seasons and spacing, and adopt timely crop management practices. He highlighted the importance of organic amendments, soil health and preventive plant protection measures.
Stressing that prevention was better than cure, particularly in organic farming, he said managing pests and diseases could be challenging after severe infestation or infection. He therefore urged farmers to prioritise preventive measures, regularly monitor crops, maintain plant health and undertake timely interventions to minimise 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 said simple scientific practices, including maintaining proper plant spacing, using recommended seed rates and adopting line sowing, could significantly improve 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 the distribution of winter vegetable seeds to encourage seasonal cultivation, promote household kitchen gardening and strengthen food and nutritional security among farming households.
