ICAR-KVK East Sikkim organized Field Day on Zero-till cultivation of Black gram (Pahenlo Dal)
ICAR - Krishi Vigyan Kendra East Sikkim, ICAR-NOFRI organized Field Day on Zero-till cultivation of black gram (Pahenlo Dal) in line of maize - black gram (Pahenlo Dal) - buckwheat a climate resilient cropping system on November 15, 2016 at ICAR-KVK East Sikkim, Ranipool under Mera Goan Mera Gaurav programme. The objective of the programme was to make farmers aware about the benefits of pulses in terms of nutritional security and improving soil fertility under organic condition. Generally, pulses are grown after maize, hence, the wide gap is observed in productivity at research farm and farmers’ field. A total 29 nos. of progressive farmers from different villages of East Sikkim viz; Upper Nandok, Lower Nandok, Sirwani, Sajong and Timpyem participated in the programme.
The programme was chaired by Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR –National Organic Farming Research Institute, Tadong, Gangtok. Addressing the gathering he briefed on organic cultivation of kharif pulses under no-till technology immediately after maize harvest which can not only to improve the soil health but also reduce the layover time between the crops. He also encouraged the farmers to undertake production of quality seed to retain them for becoming self-dependent since treated seeds had been banned in the state. He encouraged the farmers towards establishing the sources of organic inputs within the farm to reduce dependence on outside inputs.
Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Sr. Scientist (Agronomy) and Programme Coordinator (I/c) welcomed the gathering and highlighted the objectives of programme and briefed about the scientific adoption of no-till cultivation of black gram (Pahenlo dal) in maize-black gram-buckwheat cropping system. He also discussed the importance of pulses in cereal based cropping system regarding the of soil fertility enhancement. He stressed to utilize their farm land which they kept fallow after maize so that cropping intensity would increase up to at least 200 per cent and livelihood security of the farming community.
In the technical session, Dr. Ashish Yadav, Sr. Scientist (Horticulture) discussed about the cultivation practices of year round vegetable production in Sikkim. Dr. R. Gopi, Scientist (Plant Pathology) briefed about the different diseases of pulses as well as the other commercial crops and their management. Dr. J.K. Singh detailed the quality seed production of pulses at cluster level. Dr. N.J. Singh, SMS (Plant Protection) encouraged the farmers for preventive measures of insects pest management especially under organic farming. Sh. Boniface Lepcha, SMS (Horticulture) described the newly developed technologies suited to small and marginal farmers in vegetable cultivation.
After the programme, field visit and showcasing the newly improved technologies of no-till black gram (pahenlo dal) cultivation was undertaken on farm trial demonstration at ICAR- KVK Marchak Farm. Mrs. Anushree Gogoi, Programme Assistant (Home Science) and Miss Meena Pradhan SRF, NICRA coordinated for smooth conducting the programme.
At the end of the programme, vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. J.K. Singh, SMS (Plant Breeding).
Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI addresing the progressive farmers Field Day on Zeo-till cultivation of black gram Issued by Programme Coordinator, KVK East Sikkim, ICAR-NOFRI
