From apples to artistry – IHBT empowering Junakimondal Villagers under CSIR Smart Village Mission

Advancing the Government of India’s vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047,” the CSIR “SMART VILLAGE” Mission project is actively driving rural transformation in Junakimondal Village, Jorhat (Assam). The project focuses on targeted technical interventions for sustainable rural development. To drive this initiative forward, a team of experts from CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, visited the village from September 29 to October 1, 2026. During the visit, the team evaluated the performance and regional adaptability of low-chill apple varieties introduced last year, providing farmers with hands-on guidance in essential orchard management practices such as pruning, nutrient application, and pest control. Additionally, over 40 women farmers were empowered through practical training in dry flower technology, equipping them with valuable skills for floral value addition and income diversification. Highlighting the initiative’s broader goals, Dr. Sudesh Kumar Yadav, Director, CSIR-IHBT, encouraged the team to deepen community engagement, emphasizing that the deployment of CSIR technologies will tangibly uplift rural livelihoods, foster resilience, and drive sustainable growth.