Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in Imphal East and Chandel observed the 24th Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Utsav Diwas on October 30 through live webcasts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nationwide programme, with more than 222 farmers and other stakeholders participating in the two districts.
At KVK Imphal East, Andro, over 107 farmers, farm women, Farmer Producer Organisation members, Self-Help Group members, rural youth and officials attended the programme presided over by Andro Village Chief Sh. Chandra Meitei.
Dr. Y. Prabhabati Devi, Senior Scientist and Head of KVK Imphal East, highlighted the scheme’s annual assistance of Rs. 6,000 to eligible farmers in three instalments through Direct Benefit Transfer. She stated that over Rs. 4.46 lakh crore had been disbursed to more than 9.34 crore farmer families nationwide, including Rs. 18,690 crore under the 24th instalment. District Agriculture Office Extension Officer Ch. Johnson Singh urged farmers to utilise the assistance for productive agricultural activities and adopt improved farming technologies.
At KVK Chandel, 115 farmers and beneficiaries attended the programme in the presence of Dr. A. Ameeta Devi, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK Chandel; Sp. Lovejoy, District Agriculture Officer, Chandel; and Th. James, Chief of Ziontlang village.
The programme also featured the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ (Save the Soil) campaign, during which KVK scientists sensitised farmers on soil health, the risks of excessive chemical fertiliser use and sustainable agricultural practices. Practical demonstrations covered paddy straw mulching, vermicomposting, mushroom cultivation, scientific nursery preparation under Integrated Nutrient Management and protective seed storage.
Farmer-scientist interactions were also organised at the centres, covering rabi crop planning, soil health and government schemes. Agricultural inputs were distributed to farmers at both centres to encourage improved farming practices.