IMPHAL, November 17: For the first time in the history of Krishi Vigyan Kendra-Sylvan in Manipur, Krishi Vigyan Kendra-Sylvan (KVK-S), Hengbung Senapati, one among over 600 KVK-S in rural district of India, has been conferred the `Best Krishi Vigyan Kendra Award 2012` under Zone-III (NE Region) during the 8th National Conference on Krishi Vigyan Kendra`2013 held at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore during October 23-25.
The award was given for successful demonstration of artificial insemination on pig, emu, turkey rearing technology, kiwi plantation, automatic weather station, solar operated micro-irrigation system to increase water use efficiency, geo-spatial database for medicinal plants, soil and water conservation, food processing and appropriate technologies like mushroom cultivation/piggery for improvement of socio-economic improvement of women by converting the synergy of different funding agencies.
The award has been conferred based on the assessment of mandatory activities of KVK and extra curriculum activities conducted during the year 2007-2008 and 2011- 2012, it was stated during a meeting session with media persons at KVK, Senapati programme co-ordinator, KVK, Senapati, Dr N Jyotsna.
It may be mentioned that earlier KVK Hengbung, Senapati had received Certificate of Appreciation 2006-07 from Zonal Coordinating Unit, Zone-III, ICAR New Delhi.
While announcing that the award comprised of a citation and a cash award of Rs 5 lakh, Dr Jyotsana pointed out that KVK-S, Hengbung Senapati is one among the nine KVKs existing in the state and was established in December, 2002. It is managed by Host Instituted FEEDS (Foundation for Environment & Economic Development Services) under the abled and dynamic leadership of Haokholet Kipgen, Ex-MLA, Saitu AC, she added.
She further said that they have done various training, farm trail and front line demonstration for the benefit of the farmers.
Project Scientist-D, Dr Dhanaraj Thokchom said that KVK Senapati has established a centre for Orchid Gene Conservation of Eastern Regional Himalayas with the support from Directorate of Science and Technology state government under the programme Intensification of Research in High Priorities areas to works on hybridisation and tissue culture multiplication of orchids for the benefit of the flower growers.
He elaborated that they have done many activities in the last three years, germplasm of 280 species belonging to 65 genera were collected from eastern Himalayan and Indo- Burmese mega biodiversity regions and conserved ex situ in two orchidaria with 15, 000 accessions and in the field of gene bank with an area of 250 acres, germplasm of 62 species belonging to 65 genera with 3,700 accessions are being conserved under forest canopy.
Seven new species of orchid were discovered and reported and three new orchids were reported new to India from this region and new distributional records of 150 species of orchids in Manipur was reported, he said and continued that apart from orchid discoveries, a species of Sapria (Rafflesiceae) was discovered from, the state.
He further averred that the centre plans a field tours for orchid survey in Eastern Himalayan Region; Orchid identification and characterization for compiling `Orchid flora of Eastern Himalayas”; strengthening of Herbarium and Gene Bank; Research on Medicinal Orchids as well as establishement of DNA Bank, fingerprinting, phylogenetic analysis and placement of various controversial species in proper systematic position.
“Without Vision there is no success and achievement” noted Haokholet Kipgen, President FEEDS/KVK-S, Hengbung Senapati while adding that KVK-Sylvan, Hengbung Senapati with the able supporting staff works collective with a vision and that is the reason for the significant achievements.
While lauding the efforts of the KVK-S Hengbung Senapati including its staffs Haokholet Kipgen said it will be wise on the part of others KVKs in the state to replicate the vision and efforts of KVK-S, Hengbung Senapati in their respective district from the model at KVK-Sylvan in bringing grass-roots development.
It is a milestone on the part of FEEDS/KVK-S, Hengbung Senapati district that during a maiden visit of Dr S Ayyappa
