Nagaland University scholar bags top honours

In a significant recognition of scientific excellence in the field of sustainable agriculture, Vieneite-o Koza, a research scholar from the Department of Forestry, Nagaland University, was awarded with the Best Paper Presentation Award at the prestigious National Conference on “Agroforestry Assisted Natural Farming for Restoration of Agroecosystems (AANFRA-2025).”
A press release by NU PRO Peter Ki, stated that the two-day national-level scientific congregation was organized by the Faculty of Forestry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), at its Benhama-Watlar campus during 20-21 November 2025.
The AANFRA-2025 conference served as a platform for experts, policymakers, and researchers to deliberate on the urgent need for a paradigm shift from input-intensive conventional farming to regenerative agroecosystems.
The conference featured 8 technical sessions with over 160 participants presenting their research. Koza secured the top accolade for her paper titled, “Effects of season on soil microbial biomass carbon & total nitrogen in different Landuse in Phek district, Nagaland.” Her research provided critical insights into soil health dynamics within the North-Eastern Himalayan region.
Koza is currently pursuing her Ph.D. under the supervision of Dr. Gyati Yam in the Department of Forestry at Nagaland University, Lumami Campus.
The release stated that the accolade serves as a testament to the robust research ecosystem at Nagaland University, adding that by prioritizing scientific inquiry into the unique ecological dynamics of the Northeast, scholars are driving impactful innovation.
Koza’s success reinforces University’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge environmental research that bridges global academic discourse with practical solutions for agroecosystem restoration, the release stated.