- KOHIMA — In
alignment with the nationwide campaign to strengthen Indian agriculture, Krishi
Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Phek (ICAR–NRC on Mithun, Medziphema), under ICAR-ATARI
Zone VII, Umiam, launched an intensive awareness and outreach initiative under
the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA), covering remote and ecologically
sensitive villages across Phek and Meluri districts.
- The campaign (from May 29 to June 12) is held in
collaboration with the line departments and scientists from School of
Agricultural Sciences (SAS), Medziphema,

Participants and dignitaries during an outreach programme in
Sohomi village, Phek district.
- The campaign was officially launched at the national level
on May 29 by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj
Singh Chauhan, with the aim of mobilising rural farming communities to adopt
sustainable, low-input agricultural practices, an update from KVK Phek stated.
- The campaign focuses on empowering farmers with knowledge of
natural farming, enhancing climate resilience, improving nutritional security
and promoting the use of indigenous crop varieties.
- It stated that KVK Phek has taken the campaign to the
grassroots, reaching some of the most remote and difficult-to-access villages
in the districts despite challenging terrain, poor road infrastructure and the
early onset of the monsoon.
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- Field teams consisting of agricultural scientists, technical
staff and extension workers have been travelling across the hilly terrain to
directly interact with farming households, village leaders and local
institutions.
- As of June 6, the campaign has successfully covered 72
villages under Phek district.
- During each village visit, the KVK team conducted awareness
programmes and farmer group discussions on key topics such as principles and
practices of natural farming, use of traditional landraces for ecological
sustainability, soil health management and bio-inputs, government schemes for
farmer welfare and agricultural development, importance of indigenous knowledge
systems in enhancing food and nutritional security.
- The campaign highlighted the need for region-specific
farming models that are both ecologically sustainable and culturally
appropriate. Farmers were also encouraged to share their own experiences, local
innovations and challenges faced in agriculture. It mentioned that the
initiative helped foster mutual learning between scientists and the community,
while building trust and opening pathways for further collaboration.
- Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Singh, head of KVK Phek, informed that the
response from farmers has been highly encouraging. He stated that despite the
difficult access, people were eager to learn and adopt methods that are both
traditional and scientifically sound.
- Report added that KVK Phek plans to continue the campaign in
other villages in the coming weeks, deepening engagement and facilitating
connections between farmers, researchers and government programmes.
- Special emphasis would be placed on promoting
climate-resilient farming practices, encouraging youth participation in
agriculture and strengthening women’s roles in local food systems.