10th February 2026, Basar: Under the flagship PM SHRI School initiative, seventy-two students accompanied by faculty members from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Kombo, West Siang District, participated in a comprehensive educational exposure visit to the ICAR (RC) NEH Region, Arunachal Pradesh Centre, Basar. The programme was designed to sensitize students to scientific agricultural research, climate-smart farming technologies, sustainable production systems, and emerging career avenues in the agricultural sciences.
        The programme commenced with a welcome and introductory address by Dr. Raghuveer Singh, In-charge Head of the Centre, who highlighted the mandates, strategic research domains, and major technological interventions of the Centre. He also elucidated mushroom production technologies, emphasizing their significance in nutritional security, livelihood diversification, and income augmentation under hill farming systems.
        Dr. Sanjay Kumar Pandey, Sr. Scientist (Agronomy), delivered an overview of region-specific agronomical crops and elaborated on the Integrated Farming System (IFS) model being implemented at the Centre, demonstrating its role in resource optimization, risk minimization, and farm sustainability. Dr. Ampee Tasung, Scientist (Soil Science), discussed soil-based crop suitability and potential cropping systems of the region, underscoring the importance of vermicomposting and organic nutrient recycling in enhancing soil health and sustainable agricultural productivity.
        Dr. Patu Kate Zeliang, Sr. Scientist (Genetics and Plant Breeding), provided insights into the Crop Cafeteria approach, crop diversification strategies, and conservation of plant genetic resources, highlighting their relevance in climate resilience, genetic conservation, and adaptive crop improvement programmes.
        The session on livestock and allied sciences was conducted by Dr. Binod Kumar Dutta Borah, Sr. Scientist (Animal Reproduction), who elaborated on scientific animal husbandry practices, reproductive management, and the integral role of livestock components within integrated and mixed farming systems. Dr. T. Angami, Scientist (Fruit Science), introduced students to horticultural and exotic fruit crops, focusing on their commercial viability, nutritional importance, and scope for diversification in hill agriculture.
        As part of the exposure programme, the students visited various research and demonstration units, including the Mushroom Museum, Crop Cafeteria, Exotic Fruit Blocks, Dairy and Animal Science Unit, Integrated Farming System Unit, Meteorological Observatory, Agroforestry Block, and Potential Crops Block. The hands-on interactions provided students with practical insights into advanced agricultural research, technology dissemination, and field-level experimentation.
        The educational exposure visit proved to be highly enriching, significantly enhancing students’ understanding of modern, research-driven, and sustainable agricultural systems, while inspiring scientific temper and awareness about the critical role of agricultural research and innovation in ensuring food, nutritional, and livelihood security.