The Sirarakhong community of Ukhrul district has been conferred the Plant Genome Saviour Community Award 2024–25 by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA) in recognition of its century-long efforts to conserve and promote the indigenous Sirarakhong Hathei chilli, a rare variety renowned for its distinctive aroma and antioxidant properties.
The award was presented at the 22nd Foundation Day-cum-Award Function of PPVFRA held at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, ICAR Convention Centre, NASC Complex, New Delhi, on November 12, 2026.
Dr Pramod Kumar Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, presented the award as chief guest in the presence of senior officials, including Atish Chandra, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Dr Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education; Virendra R. Tiwari, Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR); Dr T. Mohapatra, Chairperson, National Biodiversity Authority; and Dr D.K. Agrawal, Registrar General, PPVFRA, among other dignitaries.
The recognition places the community’s traditional conservation efforts on the national stage, highlighting the importance of protecting indigenous crop varieties and the knowledge systems associated with them.
Dr Soibam Khogen, Senior Scientist-cum-Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Ukhrul, under the ICAR Research Complex for the North Eastern Hill Region, Manipur Centre, also attended the ceremony as facilitator. He has been supporting the community through training and hand-holding initiatives over the past several years to strengthen the conservation and promotion of Sirarakhong Hathei chilli.
The award is expected to bring greater attention to the indigenous chilli variety and the need to sustain community-led conservation efforts while exploring opportunities for its wider recognition and promotion.
