06/08/2024, Chandel: Felicitation programme for Double Farmer Income (DFI)’s Farmers under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India was held today at Conference Hall of ICAR – KVK Chandel, Monsang Pantha, Chandel. Ts. Gladney Monsang, District Agriculture Officer, Chandel, Ts. Hringnary Anal, Supervisor, ICDS Project, Chandel and Dr. A. Ameeta Devi, Sr. Scientist & Head, KVK Chandel were Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and Functional President respectively. It is worth mentioning that the Doubling Farmers’ Income (DFI) project, initiated by the Indian government in February 2016, aims to double the income of farmers by 2022. This ambitious goal is pursued through a multi-faceted approach focusing on productivity, efficiency, diversification, and fair pricing. It represents a comprehensive effort to transform Indian agriculture and improve the livelihoods of farmers. Ts. Glaney Monsang while delivering her speech appreciated the DFI’s farmers for promoting the adoption of advanced farming techniques and technologies to boost crop yields. She advocated to the farmers, to keep using the high-yielding variety seeds, precision farming, and modern irrigation methods rendered by ICAR and KVKs for doubling their incomes. She also mentioned Government’s scheme such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) which will benefit the farmers and double their incomes. Ts. Hringnary Anal underscored double cropping farming and maximizes land use and productivity. She also stressed for cultivation of high value crops such as fruits, vegetables, and spices. She said increasing incomes can lead to sustainable livelihoods, thereby benefiting the health of women and children. Dr. A. Ameeta Devi while instilling the farmers to continue to follow better breeding practices and providing comprehensive veterinary care, by doing so it will enhance the productivity of our livestock and ensuring higher returns to farmers. She informed that the farmers can approach line departments and KVK for any technology know-how and assistance. During the programme DFI certificates were distributed to the DFI’s Farmers. The programme was also attended by Dr. Y. Prabhabati Devi, SMS (Home Science), Dr. Kl. Levish, SMS(Agronomy), Ts. Leenda Monsang, SMS(Plant Breeding), Dr. K. Sonamani Singh, SMS (Agril. Engg.) and Ps. Lavid Anal, SMS (Horticulture). Overall 98 farmers and staff of KVK Chandel attended the programme.

Chandel, 02/08/2024: A five-day vocational training programme for farmers on ‘Crop diversification in improving household food security and income enhancement’ was organised by KVK, Chandel under its 100 days action plan concluded today. In the technical session, Dr Khumlo Levish Chongloi, SMS (Agronomy) delivered lectures on the importance of crop diversification in enhancing household income and food security, elaborating on different cropping systems suitable for the district, which could help in increasing cropping intensity as well as production and productivity.

During the valedictory programme held in the presence of senior scientist and head Dr A Ameeta Devi, SMS (PI Breeding) Ts Leenda Monsang, SMS (Horticulture) Lavid Anal and staffers of ICAR-KVK, Chandel, certificates along with seasonal vegetable seeds including French bean, carrot, beet root and coriander were distributed to 24 farmer participants front surrounding villages.

Chandel, 29/07/2024: A training programme under ‘Climate Resilient Agriculture’ was conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Chandel at its conference hall under the ‘National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA)’ Project on Monday.According to a KVK, Chandel release, NICRA Project, Chandel nodal officer Dr Kangjam Sonamani Singh pointed out that climate change is a reality with increasing trend in temperature, precipitation and emission of greenhouse gases also observed in Chandel district.The district is also projected to experience more of extreme rainfall and reduction in crop yields.As subsistence level farming is coupled with prevalent shifting cultivation, the small and marginal farmers will be most affected due to climate change.Hence, there is an urgent need for devising climate proof plan and climate ready policy for climate compatible agricultural development in Chandel, he said delivering the keynote address. KVK, Chandel senior scientist and head Dr A Ameeta Devi also spoke as resource persons at the programme, said the release, adding that input materials in the form of ducklings, goats, feed, medicines, feed supplements, shade net, moisture meter, weighing balance, water pumps, French bean seeds and hand tools were distributed to the 25 farmers who participated in the training.

Chandel, 12/06/2024: Field Day on Value added products from underutilized indigenous fruits and vegetables was conducted today at Chandolpokpi Village, Chandel. The Field Day was attended by Dr. A. Ameeta Devi, Sr. Scientist & Head, ICAR – KVK Chandel, M.K Chongrum, Chief Chandolpokpi village and R. Youthem, Chief Ziontlang Village as the presidium member. In the keynote address by the organizer Dr. Y. Prabhabati Devi SMS (Home Science) mentioned that the underutilized indigenous fruits and vegetables remained wasted during the season which is very rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. By converting these underutilized indigenous fruits and vegetables in to different value added products, the income and nutritional status of the farmer can be increased. By starting small scale entrepreneurship on value added products, the income of the farmers can be increased to certain extent. Dr. A. Ameeta Devi expressed that the technology given by KVK must be properly utilized and production of value added products must be encouraged in the coming years so that post harvest loses could be reduced to certain extent. While, M.K Chongrum, Chief Chandolpokpi village also acknowledged that the processing of fruits and vegetables which is undertaken by the farmers have indeed reduce the wastage of the fruits and vegetable. He urged the farmers who have not undertaken the technology to adopt in the coming days in order to increase their income by using the underutilised fruits which are available throughout the year. R. Youthem, Chief of Ziontlang Village emphasized that  post harvest technology should be encouraged and farmer must adopt  the technology developed by KVK.  Thereafter the programme, scientist and farmer interaction programme led by Dr. Y. Prabhabati Devi, SMS (Home Science) Ts. Leenda Monsang, SMS (Plant Breeding), Dr. Khumlo Levish, SMS (Agronomy), Ps. Lavid Anal, SMS (Horticulture), and Dr. K. Sonamani Singh, SMS (Agril. Engineering) was conducted. During the Field Day programme, value added products developed by progressive farm women were displayed and input like preservatives and packaging materials were distributed to the farmers. 55 farmers including staff of KVK Chandel have attended the programme.

Chandel, 05/06/2024:

World Environment Day under the theme “Land Restoration, Desertification & Drought Resilience” was observed at the Conference Hall of KVK Chandel with Shri Abhijith K.V, IFS, DFO, Chandel as the Chief Guest.

Dr. Kangjam Sonamani Singh, Subject Matter Specialist (Soil & Water Conservation) in his keynote address stressed the need and importance of observing the environment day in the wake of recent catastrophic flood and water inundation which the state witnessed. He drove home KVK’s sincere efforts towards land restoration through various activities to promote jhum improvement. Though an age-old practice of the tribal farmers, jhum cultivation has long remained a big factor for land degradation. To promote sustainable farming, farmers have been assisted to incorporate the latest improved technologies as well as resource conservation methodologies to keep the environmental degradation to the minimum. He underlined that though the region is not exactly affected by drought, erratic and untimely rainfall has become the trend, which drastically affects the crop yield as well as productivity. With the harsh reality of changing weather pattern, he emphasized the need for farmers to incorporate less water requiring crops like soybean and groundnut which would not only save the farmers from probable total crop failure but also help in farm diversification and enhance farm income. He stressed the need of farmers to focus on early and short duration crop varieties which are recommended by ICAR, Manipur Centre for assured success in fields as well as to enable secondary crop by utilising the residual soil moisture. He expressed that aggressive afforestation and effective rainwater harvesting is the need of the hour

Dr A. Ameeta Devi, Senior Scientist & Head, KVK Chandel in her speech asked the farmers to practice tree plantation a lifelong habit whatever crop they prefer to grow or no matter how big or small their land holdings may be. Soil erosion control in the hills can be curbed only through proper conservation and promotion of tree orchards in the hills.

Shri Abhijith, K.V. IFS, District Forest Officer, Chandel urged the farmers not to put extreme pressure to the environment. As a part of afforestation, he stressed the need for planting of Gmelina arborea spp (Wang) instead of the usual eucalyptus trees since there are no paper-based industries in the state. Farmers need to adopt the latest scientific climate-friendly technologies in collaboration with the KVK. He stated that climate change is a stark reality and facing it is should be the collective effort of the entire society as a whole and not of a single NGO, student body, CSO or farmer. He reiterated that farmers should focus on the long term ecological balance and not just on short term gains based on tree felling and firewood collection.

Shri K. Pawan Sharma, Ranger, District Forest Office, Chandel stated that planting a whole load of trees are the only meaningful gift for the future generation as a buffer against natural calamities. Environmental disturbance has led to rare occurrence of severe flood and untimely rainfall in the state. Temperatures have reached even upto 40^oC in the recent times. Planting of trees should be done in true spirit and with the purpose of ensuring survival and proper growth and not just for ritualistic photoshoot once a year. Prolonged care is needed for ensuring a cleaner and greener environment.

Around 517 saplings of papaya, jamun, treebean and jackfruit were distributed and also planted in the vicinity of the office premises. The programme was attended by 68 farmers and staff of KVK Chandel.

Chandel, 28/02/2024:

One day training programme on Quality Seed Production for Cereal Crops under AICRP on Seed (Crops) was conducted today at ICAR – KVK Chandel.  The programme was attended by Chandel  District Agriculture Officer Ts. Gladney Monsang and Dr. A. Ameeta Devi, Sr. Scientist & Head, ICAR – KVK Chandel as the presidium member. In the keynote addressed by Ts. Leenda Monsang, SMS – Plant Breeding, ICAR – KVK Chandel highlighted the importance of famers participation in seed production programme under AICRP and upcoming seed programmes for Kharif cereal crops. Dr. A. Ameeta Devi in her speech mentioned the importance of seed in agriculture and safe seed storage for all round seed availability. While Ts. Gladney Monsang emphasize coordinated effort with line department for more participation of farmers in quality seed production and encourage the farmers to produce quality seed in order to make available and self quality seed sufficient in the district. In the technical session, Ts. Leenda Monsang lectured on package of practices of cereal crops mainly on rice, maize and millets for quality seed production. Thereafter the technical session, scientists and farmers interaction programme was conducted. The interaction programme was also attended by Dr. Kl. Levish, SMS (Agronomy) and Dr. K. Sonamani Singh, SMS (Agril. Engg.). Input distribution of maize and French bean were provided to 40 farmers who have attended the training.

Chandel, 20/02/2024:

Field Day on Rapeseed-Mustard variety Pusa Mustard – 27  was conducted today at Lamphoupasna Village, Chandel. The programme was conducted under Cluster Front Line Demonstration (CFLD) on Oilseeds, Rabi 2023-24.  The Field Day was attended by Dr. A. Ameeta Devi, Sr. Scientist & Head, ICAR – KVK Chandel and Bs. Lumhring Anal, Chief Lamphoupasna Village as the presidium member. In the keynote address by the Nodal Officer of CFLD Dr. Khumlo Levish, SMS (Agronomy) informed that under the programme 20 hectares have been covered in the District. And she elaborated that Rapeseed Mustard variety Pusa Mustard – 27 the average seed yield of the variety is 15.35 q/ha with about 41.7% oil content and is moderately tolerant to high temperature at seedling and seed development stage.  Dr. A.Ameeta Devi while lauding the farmers for enthusiastically involved in CFLD on Oilseeds programme under taken by KVK Chandel, she informed the farmers that Rapeseed Mustard variety Pusa Mustard – 27 matures in about 118 days after sowing, which is a short duration and beneficial for the farmers for double cropping and double income. Thereafter the programme, scientist and farmer interaction programme led by Dr. Khumlo Levish, SMS (Agronomy), Ts. Leenda Monsang, SMS (Plant Breeding), Ps. Lavid Anal, SMS (Horticulture), Dr. Y. Prabhabati Devi, SMS (Home Science) and Dr. K. Sonamani Singh, SMS (Agril. Engineering) was conducted. In coinciding with the Field Day, a field visit was organized at the Rapeseed Mustard variety Pusa Mustard – 27  field of Kl. Rungkham Anal of Lamphoupasna village. During the Field Day programme input rabi vegetable crops were distributed to the farmers. 52 farmers including staff of KVK Chandel have attended the programme.

Chandel, 03/04/2023:

Input injection cum awareness programme on enhancement of livelihood and food security for tribal famers of Chandel District, Manipur through adoption of Integrated Farming System was conducted today at Lamphoupasna village, Chandel and was sponsored by Tribal Sub Plan. During the programme experts from KVK Chandel rendered training related to the enhancement of livelihood and food security for tribal famers through adoption of Integrated Farming System. Thereafter, interaction between farmers and scientists was also conducted. The resource persons were Dr. A. Ameeta Devi, SMS (Animal Science) cum head in-charge, Dr. Kl. Levish Chongloi,. SMS(Agronomy), Ts. Leenda Monsang, SMS (Plant Breeding), Dr. K. Sonamani Singh, SMS (Agril. Engg.) and Ps. Lavid Anal, SMS (Horticulture). Input like agri-lime, hybrid maize, rice variety RC maniphou -7, sorghum variety CSV – 27 and ladies finger were distributed to the farmers. 43 farmers and staff of ICAR – KVK Chandel have attended the programme.

Chandel, 21/03/2023:

Training cum Exhibition on Natural farming was organized today at Modi village, Chandel. The programme was conducted under the project out scaling of natural farming through KVKs and sponsored by Ministry of Agricultural and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi. The programme was attended by Dr. A. Ameeta Devi, Head i/c cum SMS (Animal Science), ICAR – KVK Chandel and Kl. John, Chief of Modi village as presidium members.

In the keynote addressed by Dr. Kl. Levish Chongloi, SMS (Agronomy) she informed the farmers that Natural Farming is a chemical-free traditional farming method and it is agroecology based diversified farming system which integrates crops, trees and livestock with functional biodiversity. She highlighted the benefits of adopting natural farming such as increasing in production, sustainability, saving of water use, improvement in soil health and farmland ecosystem.  Dr. A. Ameeta Devi in her speech emphasized and encouraged rearing of local cow depending on their farm size for natural farming. She explained to the farmers that in organic farming, bio-fertlisers and bio-pesticides are used, but zero budget natural farming is purely dependent on cow.  She also informed that there is need to eliminate chemicals in agriculture gradually and to conserve natural resources and revive already depleted natural resources by propagating natural farming to save the soil, water, environment, animal and human health and ultimately overall agro Eco systems. Kl. John, Chief of Modi village in his speech shared his happiness in organising training and the exhibition. He said that farmers in modi village had still adopted natural ways of farming through generation and held organic or natural farming mela every year in the village to promote chemical free crops. Later on training on Natural farming was conducted by experts from ICAR – KVK Chandel. The resource persons were Ps. Lavid Anal, SMS (Horticulture), Ts. Leenda Monsang, SMS (Plant Breeding), Dr. K. Sonamani Singh, SMS (Agril. Engg.). In the exhibition, natural farming products and millets varieties were showcase. 68 farmers and staff of ICAR – KVK Chandel have attended the programme.

Chandel, 17/10/2022: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chandel along with 118 farmers and 42 FPO members attended the virtual PM Kisan Samman Sammelan, 2022 at KVK conference Hall.  Shri SK Angsel, President BJP Chandel District, Manipur and Dr. A. Ameeta Devi, Head i/c ICAR – KVK Chandel were the presidium members. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the said event at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. The event brought together more than 13,500 farmers from across the country and around 1500 Agri Startups. In the auspicious event, Prime Minister inaugurated 600 Pradan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras(PMKSK) under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers; launched Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana – One Nation One Fertilizer. Under the scheme, Prime Minister  launched Bharat Urea Bags, which will help companies market fertilizers under the single brand name “Bharat”. Prime Minister also released the 12th instalment amount of Rs.16,000 crores under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) through Direct Benefit Transfer.