A Plant Health Camp was successfully conducted on 16th March 2026 at Mawsiatkhnam Village under the East Khasi Hills District as part of the Farmers’ FIRST Programme (FFP) by the Division of Technology Assessment and Capacity Building, ICAR-RC-NEH Region. The programme was led by Dr. Tasvina R. Borah, Senior Scientist (Plant Pathology). The primary objective of the camp was to enhance farmers’ knowledge and skills on integrated plant health management practices, with a special focus on sustainable and eco-friendly approaches suitable for local conditions.
        During the camp, a practical field demonstration on the preparation of Bordeaux mixture was carried out, followed by the treatment of ginger rhizomes through dipping in the prepared solution. The demonstration was conducted directly in the farmers’ field to ensure better understanding and hands-on experience. The leftover Bordeaux mixture was judiciously applied across the field, starting from higher to lower slopes, to ensure uniform distribution and effective disease management. Farmers actively participated in the activities and showed great enthusiasm, expressing satisfaction with the practical exposure and clarity gained through the demonstration.
        In addition to the demonstrations, awareness sessions were conducted on the use of important bio-inputs and eco-friendly plant protection products, such as Multineem, MINCHU+ (Bacillus thuringiensis and Saccharopolyspora spinosa), Nisarga (Trichoderma viride), and Sparsha (Pseudomonas fluorescens). The significance of these inputs in integrated pest and disease management was explained in detail, emphasizing their role in reducing chemical dependency and promoting sustainable agriculture. The camp proved to be highly beneficial, strengthening farmers’ capacity to adopt improved plant health practices and contributing to the overall goal of enhancing productivity and sustainability in the region. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Tasvina R. Borah (Sr. Scientist & Co-PI), Dr. Anjoo Yunam, (Scientist & Co-PI), Dr. N. Uttam Singh (Sr. Scientist & PI), Dr. M. Bishonath Singh (SRF) and Phiyolyne Ranee (Field Assistant).