Chandel, 15/06/2026: An intensive agricultural awareness campaign under the “Khet Bachao Abhiyaan” (Save Our Fields) initiative was successfully organized today at Purum Chumbang. The campaign specifically targeted the farming communities of Purum Chumbang and Penaching villages in Chandel District. The programme was designed to educate local farmers on soil health conservation, eco-friendly farming practices, and the importance of adopting a balanced approach to nutrient management. Vegetable seeds were also distributed to the participating farmers.
The programme commenced with an inaugural address by S.P. Lovejoy, District Agriculture Officer (DAO), Chandel. In his address, he highlighted the department’s vision for promoting sustainable agriculture across the district. He urged farmers to register for Soil Health Cards and make effective use of government-supported schemes and subsidies to safeguard their fields from environmental degradation and declining soil fertility.
In the technical session Dr. Adam Kamei, Plant Protection Officer, Central Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Centre, Imphal. Drawing upon his expertise, he conducted a comprehensive demonstration on advanced plant protection measures and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. He emphasized the use of mechanical traps and biological control agents as effective alternatives to excessive chemical pesticide use, explaining how these methods help protect crop ecosystems and prevent pest resurgence.
A multidisciplinary team of Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs) from ICAR–KVK Chandel also delivered technical presentations based on their respective fields of specialization:
Ts. Leenda Monsang, SMS (Plant Breeding), focused on crop genetics and seed health in relation to balance use of fertilizer. She advised farmers on the selection of climate-resilient, indigenous, and high-yielding crop varieties that are resistant to local pests and diseases, thereby ensuring long-term seed security and improved productivity.
Dr. K.L. Levish Chongloi, SMS (Agronomy), elaborated on soil–plant–nutrient relationships and the importance of balanced fertilizer application. She explained how nutrient management based on soil test results helps prevent nutrient losses, enhances crop performance, and maintains long-term soil health.
Dr. K. Sonamani Singh, SMS (Agricultural Engineering), highlighted the significance of farm mechanization in modern agriculture. He shared how affordable and resource-efficient agricultural tools and machinery can reduce labour requirements, minimize post-harvest losses, and improve water-use efficiency. He also highlighted how soil and water can be conserved in traditional hill agriculture.
Ps. Lavid Anal, SMS (Horticulture), discussed strategies for maximizing land productivity through crop diversification. She encouraged farmers to integrate fruit and vegetable cultivation with natural farming systems to enhance farm income and strengthen livelihood security.
Representing the local community, Kh. Donhra, Village Secretary of Purum Chumbang, shared his appreciation for the programme. He noted that the practical demonstrations, particularly those related to Integrated Pest Management and balanced nutrient application, provided clear and actionable knowledge that could be readily adopted to improve crop productivity.
The campaign concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which farmers actively engaged with the resource persons. The programme successfully enhanced farmers’ awareness of sustainable agricultural practices and equipped them with valuable knowledge and skills to protect their fields, improve productivity, and secure their agrarian livelihoods.
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