DIMAPUR: A stakeholder’s meet on “Mitigating El Niño Impacts on Kharif 2026 Agriculture” was organised at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema on August 7, bringing together top agricultural scientists, state officials and extension experts to devise a proactive, science led strategy to safeguard Nagaland’s farming sector against climate abnormalities during the ongoing Kharif season.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Chubasenla Aochen, In charge Head of Regional Centre (HoRC), ICAR RC Nagaland Centre. In his opening remarks, Dr. Kadirvel Govindasamy, Director, ICAR RC for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, underscored the critical importance of climate resilience, adaptive planning and institutional readiness to protect farming communities from adverse weather patterns.
The technical session, chaired by Dr. Girish Patil, Director, ICAR NRC Mithun, Medziphema, featured comprehensive scientific presentations. Dr. Debahish Chakraborty, Senior Scientist, presented an analytical overview of changing weather parameters, rainfall deficits and temperature shifts threatening crop yields in Nagaland under the theme “Meteorological Impacts of El Niño.” Dr. V.K. Verma, Principal Scientist (Horticulture), ICAR RC Umiam, highlighted contingency plans to protect Northeastern horticulture, emphasizing robust water management and climate resilient varieties.
Dr. Krishnappa Rangappa, Senior Scientist, ICAR RC Umiam, stressed hill specific agricultural strategies, stress tolerant crop varieties and contingency crop planning in his deliberation on “El Niño Preparedness in Hill Ecosystem.” Dr. Harendra Verma, Scientist, ICAR Nagaland Centre, discussed “Resource Management Technologies for Nagaland,” detailing sustainable land and water management practices and announcing the release of seven newly developed high yielding, climate resilient rice varieties for the state.
The technical presentations were followed by an extensive interactive session with state officers representing agriculture and allied departments. Participants deliberated on logistical challenges, immediate field implementation of resource management technologies and distribution of resilient inputs. In his closing remarks, Khonthungo Lotha, Joint Secretary, Government of Nagaland, praised the joint efforts of scientists and state machinery, calling for seamless communication between research bodies and field departments to effectively deploy mitigation strategies.
Concluding the event, Dr. Girish Patil stressed the importance of protecting crops, livestock and tribal farming ecosystems from climate stress.
The meeting was attended by DAOs, Joint Directors and officers from Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, faculties from SAS Nagaland University, scientists from ICAR Nagaland Centre, HoDs from SAS NU, Heads of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Chief Technical Officers, Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs) and technical officers, who actively participated in the deliberations.
