Mega Kisan Mela-cum-Training & Awareness Programme Organised

24-25 September 2025, Assam

ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Anand organized a two days Mega Kisan Mela cum Training & Awareness Programme under the NEH component at ICAR-ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research, Research Centre, Kahi Kuchi, Guwahati.

The program was held jointly with ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research, Kasaragod, ICAR-Directorate of Floriculture Research, Pune; ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode and Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat for community empowerment through sensitization and capacity development of NEH region farmers on various horticultural technologies.

The Chief Guest, Dr. K. V. Prasad, Director, ICAR-DFR, Pune inaugurated the program and emphasized on the cultivation aspects as well as business opportunities in flower crops and medicinal and aromatic plants in the NEH region.

Dr. V. K. Gupta, Director, ICAR-National Research Center on Pig, Guwahati, Dr. S. Hazarika, Director, ICAR-Research Complex for North East Hill Region, Umiam; Shri K. K. Bora, State Organising Secretary, Kisan Sangh Manch; Shri Loken Das, Chief General Manger, NABARD, Guwahati; Dr. Maheshwarappa H. P, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasargod and Dr. Pradip Mahanta, Chief Scientist, Horticulture Research Station, AAU, Guwahati marked their gracious presence as guests of honours in the event.

Dr. Manish Das, Director, ICAR-DMAPR along with other senior officials were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Dr Das, briefed on the importance of traditional healthcare system in our country and motivated the farmers for cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants. He also stressed upon the scope of spices/plantation/flower crop cultivation in the NEH region and assured them for all kind of support from ICAR-DMAPR, Anand, Gujarat.
Five progressive farmers from NEH region were also felicitated for their contribution in cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants.

In the valedictory session, the Chief Guest, Shri K. K. Bora, State Organising Secretary, Kisan Sangh Manch, Assam emphasized on the richness of biodiversity in NEH region specially in MAPs/spices/plantation/flower crops as well as potential of NEH farmers for their contribution in the growth & development of the horticultural sector.

During the two days event, Scientists from ICAR-DMAPR, Anand; ICAR-CPCRI, RC, Guwahati; ICAR-DFR, Pune; AAU HRS, Guwahati; ICAR-NRC Pig; AICRP on MAPs/Spices/floriculture were also present in the event as resource persons.

Various technologies of medicinal and aromatic plants, flower crops, plantation crops and spices were showcased to the farmers. Start-ups from the NEH region also showcased the products and ideas to the farmers.

A total of 1100 NEH farmers from nearby villages were the beneficiary participants in the event of which 700 were women farmers. Inputs, seeds and quality planting materials of medicinal and aromatic plants, flower crops and plantation crops were also distributed to the farmers

(Source: ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Anand, Gujarat)