Sirarakhong community receives award for Hathei chilli conservation

Imphal: The Sirarakhong community of Manipur’s Ukhrul district was presented with the Plant Genome Saviour Community Award 2024-25 for its century-long conservation of the rare Sirarakhong Hathei chilli. The award, conferred by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA), includes a citation, a memento and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh. Northeast Now reported the ceremony took place on November 12 at the ICAR Convention Centre in New Delhi during the Authority’s 22nd Foundation Day celebration.

Award ceremony

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Pramod Kumar Mishra presented the award as chief guest. Senior officials attending the event included Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra, DARE Secretary, ICAR Director General Mangi Lal Jat, National Biodiversity Authority Chairperson Virendra R. Tiwari, PPVFRA Chairperson T. Mohapatra and PPVFRA Registrar General D.K. Agrawal. An exhibition of the community’s plant genetic resources and key products was organised for the dignitaries. Soibam Khogen Singh, Senior Scientist and Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Ukhrul, attended as the community’s facilitator, having led recent training and hand-holding initiatives.

Community’s conservation efforts

The Sirarakhong community has maintained the Hathei chilli for a hundred years, a variety noted for its distinct aroma, antioxidant content and health benefits. According to P.A. Ramsem, Chief Technical Officer (Soil Science) at ICAR-KVK Ukhrul, the community was among five farming groups nationwide to receive the award for the 2024-25 cycle. The cash prize is earmarked to support ongoing conservation and marketing activities for the indigenous chilli.

Institutional support

The award follows sustained institutional backing from KVK Ukhrul, the ICAR Research Complex for the North Eastern Hill (NEH) Region, and ICAR-ATARI Zone VII in Umiam, Meghalaya. Central Agricultural University (Imphal) Vice Chancellor Anupam Mishra congratulated the farmers and KVK officials, urging a strengthening of the local research network to address cultivation challenges and secure the future of the prized chilli variety.

The recognition highlights the role of community-driven conservation in preserving plant genetic resources and underscores the collaborative effort between local farmers, research institutions and national authorities in safeguarding biodiversity.