KVK Longleng wins 3 awards at ICAR-ATARI foundation day

DIMAPUR — The ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Longleng, made a proud mark at the ninth foundation day of ICAR-ATARI, Zone-VII, held on June 24 at Umiam, Meghalaya.

The KVK was honoured with three major awards: Best KVK for Nagaland of the Year 2024-25, Best VKSA Performer Award for Nagaland and the Krishi Gaurav Award-2025 for Best Innovative Farmer, which was awarded to M Daoje Phom of Kangching village, Tamlu block under Longleng district.

These awards reflect the hard work, teamwork, and dedication of the entire ICAR-KVK Longleng team in serving tribal farmers of the district through scientific farming, training, and community empowerment, the KVK Longleng stated in a press release.

“The Best KVK Award is a proud achievement that highlights the strong leadership of Dr. Hari Charan Kalita, Senior Scientist and Head of ICAR-KVK Longleng along with his team of subject matter specialists, technical and supporting staffs.

“Their combined efforts in improving farming systems, promoting organic and natural farming and training farmers across difficult hilly areas have made the KVK stand out,” it stated.

The award was presented in the presence of Dr. M Ampareen Lyngdoh Madam, Agriculture Minister, Government of Meghalaya; Dr. BC Deka Vice-Chancellor of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat; Dr. AK Mohanty Director of ICAR-ATARI, Zone-VII, and other distinguished dignitaries.

According to KVK Longleng, a key reason behind this success was the outstanding performance of ICAR-KVK Longleng in the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA) – 2025, a nationwide campaign conducted from May 29 to June 12.

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The KVK conducted 117 awareness and training programmes in 91 villages (including non-registered villages) and reached out to 16,847 farmers, including 7,568 male farmers and 9,729 female farmers.

These programmes covered useful topics such as soil health, organic and natural input use, mulching, rainwater harvesting, pest and disease management, and integration of crops, animals and fisheries in farming.

Demonstrations were also done on managing serious crop problems like fall armyworm in maize, powdery mildew in pumpkin, viral diseases in papaya and king chillies.

The VKSA campaign was successfully led by three dedicated field teams—Shubhendu Kumar Behera (SMS, Plant Protection), Dr. Lily Ngullie (SMS, Animal Science), and Dr. Kalu Ram (SMS, Fruit Science)—along with scientist from ICAR Nagaland Centre, faculties from state agriculture universities and official from the state agri-allied line departments from Longleng district.

Despite tough terrain and remote areas, they reached out to farmers with training, demonstrations, and motivation. They also organised Nutri Dish competitions, skill training on turmeric processing, smoked meat, jam and millet products and created awareness on government schemes like PM-KISAN, e-NAM, and Kisan Call Centres.

“Because of their efforts, ICAR-KVK Longleng was declared the Best VKSA Performer of Nagaland out of 11 KVKs in the state,” it stated.

The Krishi Gaurav Award 2025 was received by M Daoje Phom, a leading woman farmer and role model from Kanching village, Longleng district.

Daoje has developed a 5-hectare Integrated Farming System (IFS) that includes crops, poultry, fishery, goats, vegetables, and fruits, all managed naturally and organically.

She is also the secretary of 102 Self Help Groups (SHGs) and actively works in empowering rural women through training in food processing, millet-based baby foods, and natural farming techniques. Her work has benefited many women and youth in and around Tamlu and has made her a symbol of change in the district.

“These three awards are a big moment of pride for KVK Longleng and show how dedicated work, proper planning, and community participation can bring great results.

The guidance and support of ICAR-ATARI, Zone-VII, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region and ICAR Nagaland Centre played an important role,” the release added.