657 farmers empowered as KVK Jaintia Hills rolls out VKSA in remote villages

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 31, 2025

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Jaintia Hills successfully conducted Day 2 of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ (VKSA) on May 30, despite facing persistent rain and difficult weather conditions. The programme was held across nine villages—Namdong, Moobakhon, Ksehrynchang, Sohphoh, Larnai, Tyrchang, Pdengshakhap, Jaralood, and Mawlong—covering both Thadlaskein and Amlarem blocks, with the active participation of 657 farmers.

Although the weather made travelling and gathering challenging, the commitment of the field teams ensured that the outreach continued without interruption.

Three dedicated teams, consisting of agricultural scientists and officials from various departments, engaged directly with the farming communities throughout the day.

Team 1 included Dr. Alethea Dympep, Subject Matter Specialist in Agricultural Extension at KVK Jaintia Hills; Dr. H. Rymbai, Scientist from ICAR Umiam; J. Laloo, Agricultural Development Officer, West Jaintia Hills; M. Lapasam, Horticulture Inspector, West Jaintia Hills; Dr. A. Surong, District Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Officer, West Jaintia Hills; and P. Langshiang from ATMA, West Jaintia Hills.

Team 2 comprised Banylla Kharbamon, Subject Matter Specialist in Horticulture at KVK Jaintia Hills; Dr. Krishnappa R., Senior Scientist from ICAR Umiam; Dr. Fernidee Dhar, Assistant Veterinary Officer; Dr. Ruhiwanse Lamare, Agricultural Development Officer, West Jaintia Hills; Lakidon Khonglah, Horticulture Development Officer, West Jaintia Hills; and Celestial Suting from ATMA, West Jaintia Hills.

Team 3 included Jeseama K. Marak, Subject Matter Specialist in Fisheries at KVK Jaintia Hills; Dr. Ng. Uma Devi, Scientist from Central Agricultural University; Dr. H. Dune, District Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Officer; M. Sangma, Horticulture Inspector; and Shemborlang Ksoo from ATMA, West Jaintia Hills.

Technical sessions covered a wide range of agricultural and allied topics, including the preparation and application of biochar, improved varieties of paddy and maize developed at ICAR Umiam, cropping systems involving paddy followed by peas and lentils, millet cultivation, and Fall Army Worm management. Farmers also learned about improved methods in paddy cultivation, artificial insemination in pigs and cattle, vaccination across livestock species, implementation of biosecurity in farms, and poultry health practices.

The teams provided guidance on establishing nutri gardens, integrated farming systems, buckwheat cultivation and its prospects, orchard management with advanced techniques, fruit cultivation using grafting methods, and the use of the Meghdoot app for weather-based agricultural decisions. Other topics included organic pest and disease management, departmental schemes under horticulture, health and feeding management in piggery including silage preparation, disease prevention, deworming, soil health card usage, biopesticides, and cultivation of high-value vegetables.

Specific issues raised by farmers, such as the health and deaths of pigs in villages, were addressed through advisories provided by veterinary experts. Farmers were also made aware of the Chief Minister’s Assured Scheme on broom and areca nut, the availability of power tillers and brush cutters under the SNAM scheme from the Horticulture Department, sourcing of quality fruit saplings from ICAR Umiam, piggery startup loan options through DCIC, and the distribution of soybean seeds from the District Agriculture Office.

As part of the programme, seeds of millets and buckwheat were distributed. Informational leaflets were provided on topics such as organic cultivation of turmeric, preparation of silage, rearing of Labeo gonius and Cyprinus carpio in Meghalaya, and the application of agricultural machinery under Custom Hiring Centres.

Farmers were also sensitised about various central and state government schemes including PM-Kisan, National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO), Kisan Samriddhi Yojana (KSY), Farm Mechanisation, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), PP Mulching, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Soil Health Card Scheme, Vegetable and Fruit Development Schemes, Plant Protection Scheme, Tuber and Spice Development Schemes, CM-Assure, Lakadong Mission, Floriculture Mission, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), State Rice Mission, National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Ginger Development Scheme, Organic Manure Development Scheme, and the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER).

The headmen of the participating villages expressed their appreciation for the VKSA programme, which they described as timely and much-needed. The enthusiastic participation of the farmers highlighted their dedication to adopting new technologies and practices to improve their agricultural productivity and livelihoods.