TRAINING CUM FARM MACHINERY DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMME BY KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA (KVK), KOHIMA A Training-cum-Farm Machinery Distribution Programme was successfully conducted at the KVK Kohima campus to support progressive farmers from selected villages in Kohima and Tseminyu districts. During the programme, 30 paddy threshers, 30 wheel hand-hoes, and Rabi vegetable seed kits were distributed to the beneficiaries. The programme was organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kohima, Nagaland, under ATARI Zone-VII and sponsored by the ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), NEH Programme, New Delhi. The initiative marked a significant step towards empowering farming communities by promoting science-based agricultural technologies and quality planting materials to replace labour-intensive traditional practices. According to a press release, the programme was chaired by Dr. Shisarenla Aier, Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture) and In- charge of the NEH Programme, KVK Kohima. In her welcome address, she highlighted the importance of paddy threshers and wheel hand-hoes as essential farm implements that reduce manual labour, improve operational efficiency, increase crop productivity, and save valuable processing time. Dr. Ruokuovilie Mezhatsu, Principal Scientist and Head, KVK Kohima, in his brief address underscored the significance of paddy as the staple food of the Naga people. He noted that for generations, rural households have depended on self-grown paddy for their sustenance. With the advancement of scientific farming practices, he said, the introduction of ergonomic tools and light farm machinery would help reduce farm drudgery, particularly for women farmers, while improving overall agricultural productivity. Hands-on demonstrations on the operation of manually operated paddy threshers and wheel hand-hoes were conducted by Dr. Sesenlo Kath, Technical Officer (Farm). He explained that paddy threshers efficiently separate grains from stalks and husks, minimise weather-related losses caused by delayed threshing, reduce grain breakage compared to traditional manual beating, and significantly lessen the physical effort involved in threshing. Explaining the benefits of the wheel hand-hoe, Dr. Kath said the implement effectively removes weeds between crop rows without damaging standing crops, loosens and aerates the soil to improve water and air penetration, and enables farmers to work in a standing or walking posture, thereby reducing back strain and fatigue associated with the use of traditional short-handled hoes. In his concluding remarks, Dr. Mezhatsu reaffirmed KVK Kohima's commitment to strengthening agricultural development in the region and assured continued technical support to farmers and rural organisations. A total of 46 participants, including members of farmers' groups, progressive farmers from Kohima and Tseminyu districts, and KVK officials, attended the programme.