Six farmers and agripreneurs from Meghalaya have received the Krishi Gaurav Samman 2026 for their contributions to sustainable agriculture, preservation of indigenous crops and rural entrepreneurship.
The awards were presented during the Academic Assembly 2026, held at the College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences (CPGSAS) of Central Agricultural University (CAU) at Umiam in Ri-Bhoi district.
Among the recipients was Chekjing Sangma from Sadolpara village in West Garo Hills, who was recognised for introducing modern millet farming techniques and encouraging its cultivation. Darapbiang Mulieh of Khanduli village in West Jaintia Hills received the award for promoting millet-based value addition, while fellow Khanduli resident Sitrian Surong was honoured for preserving the state’s traditional millet heritage.
Trinity Saioo, widely known as the ‘Lakadong Lady of Meghalaya’, was recognised for her efforts to promote indigenous Lakadong turmeric cultivation. She belongs to Mulieh village in West Jaintia Hills.
The other awardees were Jemnud Marpan of Thadnongniaw village in Ri-Bhoi district, who was recognised for conserving indigenous crops and agricultural biodiversity, and Midat M Binau, Professor of Practice at Manipur University, Marngar, Ri-Bhoi, for his efforts to take traditional spice crops to wider markets through agripreneurship.