Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Six farmers and agripreneurs from Meghalaya earned the Krishi Gaurav Samman 2026 for boosting sustainable agriculture and rural business. The awards ceremony took place during the Academic Assembly 2026 at the College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences in Umiam, Ri-Bhoi district. The event drew 375 participants to discuss the National Education Policy 2020.
Award recipient Chekjing Sangma from West Garo Hills brought modern millet farming to his community. Darapbiang Mulieh and Sitrian Surong, both from Khanduli village in West Jaintia Hills, received honors for their work with millet value addition and heritage preservation. Trinity Saioo, the Mulieh village farmer known as the Lakadong Lady of Meghalaya, earned recognition for promoting indigenous Lakadong turmeric. Two of the winners previously earned praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Mann Ki Baat radio show.
Jemnud Marpan from Thadnongniaw village took an award for conserving agricultural biodiversity. Midat M Binau, a Professor of Practice at Manipur University living in Marngar, also received recognition for expanding markets for traditional spices. CAU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Anupam Mishra urged the crowd to bridge the gap between old and new methods. He stated, "The role of tribal communities in biodiversity conservation, forest management and natural resource protection," remains essential for the future.
The Purvottar Janajati Shiksha Samiti and the College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences jointly hosted the assembly. They focused on integrating indigenous wisdom into modern learning. The organizers hope to strengthen local value chains and improve rural livelihoods through these community-based efforts.
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