‘Lakadong Lady’ among six recipients of Krishi Gaurav Samman
Shillong, Nov 1: Six farmers and agripreneurs from Meghalaya among others were awarded for their contributions to respective fields during the Academic Assembly 2026 held at Central Agricultural University (CAU), Umiam.
The Assembly brought together 375 participants from different institutions and organisations across the North East, including academicians, researchers, farmers and students.
Among the six recipients of the Krishi Gaurav Samman 2026, five were from Meghalaya, representing West Garo Hills, West Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts.
They have made significant contributions in the fields of indigenous agriculture, millet cultivation, value addition and conservation of traditional crops.
The awards were given at the programme held at College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences (CPGSAS), CAU, under the theme “Transforming Classrooms through NEP 2020: Integrating Indigenous Wisdom, Culture and Experiential Learning”. It was jointly organised by Purvottar Janajati Shiksha Samiti (PJSS) and CPGSAS.
Chekjing Sangma of Sadolpara village in West Garo Hills was recognised for pioneering modern millet farming and promoting millet cultivation.
Darapbiang Mulieh of Khanduli village in West Jaintia Hills received the award for promoting millet value addition, while Sitrian Surong, also from Khanduli, was honoured for her efforts to champion Meghalaya’s millet heritage.
Trinity Saioo, popularly known as the ‘Lakadong Lady of Meghalaya’, from Mulieh village in West Jaintia Hills, was recognised for her contribution to promoting indigenous Lakadong turmeric cultivation.
Jemnud Marpan of Thadnongniaw village in Ri-Bhoi district was honoured for her efforts to conserve indigenous crops and agricultural biodiversity.
The sixth awardee, Midat M. Binau, Professor of Practice at Manipur University, Marngar, Ri-Bhoi, was recognised for his agripreneurial initiatives in transforming traditional spice crops into market opportunities.
The recognition comes amid growing emphasis on preserving indigenous agricultural knowledge, promoting traditional crops and strengthening rural livelihoods through value addition and market linkages.
Three distinguished agricultural scientists and academicians were also conferred the Krishi Siksha Gaurav Samman 2026.
Dr SV Ngachan, former director of the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, was honoured for his lifetime contributions to agricultural research and education.
Prof Lalnuntluangi Hmar, Dean of CAU-College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Selesih, Aizawl, was recognised for more than 25 years of distinguished service, while Dr Kanchan Saikia, principal scientist and in-charge head of the Regional Rainfed Lowland Rice Research Station, Gerua, Assam, was honoured for his contributions to rice research, particularly in flood-prone lowland areas.
Addressing the gathering, CAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Anupam Mishra stressed the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge with modern science.
He said development should not be measured solely through GDP but also through happiness, social well-being and environmental sustainability.
Highlighting the traditional knowledge of tribal communities in biodiversity conservation, forest management and natural resource preservation, he called for scientific documentation and economic recognition of ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration.
He also emphasised the need to promote medicinal plant-based enterprises, primary processing and value addition to strengthen livelihoods in the Northeast.
Prof Debabrata Das, president of PJSS and Vice-Chancellor of Tripura University underscored the role of education in nation-building and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
He said modern education must remain rooted in cultural heritage, traditions and moral values, adding that education should nurture both knowledge and character.
Prof Ganga Prasad Parsain, president of Vidya Bharati Purvottar Kshetra, called for strengthening tribal education, particularly in underserved hill districts of the Northeast.
The Academic Assembly also featured two interactive sessions on farmers’ experiences and the National Education Policy 2020, providing a platform for discussions on agricultural development and educational transformation.
