CHANDEL, 2/9/2026: As part of its continuous commitment toward farmers’ welfare, ICAR-KVK, Chandel organized a training programme on the “Use of Locally Available Materials for Construction of Brushwood Dams” at Heibunglok village in Chandel district.
Dr. Kangjam Sonamani Singh, Subject Matter Specialist (Soil & Water Conservation), delivered the main lectures, stressing the importance of brushwood dams for resource conservation. He explained that these small, temporary, low-cost structures, built across narrow streams using wooden posts and bundled tree branches, effectively slow water velocity, trap sediment, and stop soil erosion. Made entirely from local timber, twigs, and soil, they slow down fast-moving rainwater runoff and catch silt to level out eroded land.
Dr. Sonamani Singh emphasized that these eco-friendly structures are a boon for tribal farmers, offering an accessible way to manage land degradation without expensive infrastructure or heavy machinery. Because they use cheap, locally sourced vegetation, local youth and farmers can easily construct them without engineering skills. Built from organic materials, they naturally degrade over time without leaving an artificial footprint. Notably, if constructed using fresh tree cuttings, the stakes can sprout roots, permanently binding and stabilizing the soil.
Dr. A. Ameeta Devi, Senior Scientist & Head of ICAR-KVK Chandel, urged farmers to be proactive regarding water conservation. She highlighted brushwood dams as a vital low-cost tool to counter erratic rainfall patterns caused by El Niño, adding that dedicated farming would make the district self-reliant and prosperous.
The programme was also attended by Dr. Khumlo Levish, SMS (Agronomy); Ts. Leenda Monsang, SMS(Plant Breeding); Ps. Lavid Anal, SMS (Horticulture); Kamei Super, Programme Assistant (Farm); and Hb. Lungni, Senior Research Fellow, NICRA Project. To support farmers, inputs like seeds of coriander, palak, and carrot were distributed to the participating farmers.
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