ICAR-NOFRI Empowered Tribal Farmers of West Sikkim
The ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI), Tadong organized 3-day training program on ‘Livelihood Security of Tribal Farmers through Training cum Development Program on Organic Crop Production and Animal Husbandry’ for progressive tribal farmers of Lingchom GPU, West Sikkim during March 23-25, 2018 under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) project in order to increase awareness and strengthen the progressive tribal farmers on organic crop production by dissemination of scientific knowledge along with input support. During the 3-day program, a total of 41 farmers representing different Self Help Groups (SHGs) attended the program and benefited with the technical know-how and various inputs distributed viz., organically permitted bio-pesticides, bio-fungicides, bio-fertilizers, untreated seeds, and plastic sheets for low cost plastic tunnels and shelters. Power point presentations were delivered to the farmers on scientific crop production technologies developed by ICAR-NOFRI for quick and easy learning of the techniques and farmers showed keen interest and appreciated the ICAR efforts.
Dr. R. K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI briefed about the overall activities of ICAR-NOFRI. He stressed upon the importance of scientific knowledge for commercial and intensive production of organic crops and animals to bring about perceptible change in the organic production scenario of the region. He said that hi-tech low cost vegetable production technologies, conservation agriculture technologies, organic nutrient management and animal production technologies are available with ICAR, which can be a good source of income for the rural youth. He further detailed about the importance of soils in crop production and asked the farmers to conserve the soil by planting crops. He also emphasized the significance of soil health card and its role in organic nutrient management system.
Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) welcomed all the farmers and briefed about ICAR-NOFRI role in developing technologies for organic production systems. He discussed about the intensive vegetable production techniques under low cost plastic tunnel and plastic rain shelters. He also detailed about the organic Sikkim mandarin, guava and kiwifruit production techniques.
Shri Chandan Kapoor, Scientist (Plant Breeding) detailed about the organic seed production techniques. He emphasized on the regular monitoring and maintaining isolation distances for quality seed production.
Shri Shaon Kr. Das, Scientist (Soil Science) discussed the organic nutrient management and soil sampling procedures. He detailed about the various organic nutrients sources and their application procedures in various crops.Dr. N. J. Singh, SMS (Plant Protection) discussed the organic pest management in major field and horticultural crops of Sikkim and organic oyster mushroom production techniques. He stressed upon the importance of good agricultural practices to minimize pest incidence and that regular monitoring of farm is important for better management of insects.
Dr. Chandramani Raj, Scientist (Plant Pathology) talked about the disease management in organic production system and preparations and applications of biopesticides and biofungicides solutions.
Dr. P.K. Pathak, SMS (Animal Science) interacted with the farmers and discussed the poultry, piggery, goatry and dairy management techniques for improving production and productivity. He also stressed on maintaining hygienic conditions in rearing the animals.
During the program, Dr. Ashish Yadav, Dr. N.J. Singh and Dr. Chandramani Raj practically demonstrated the construction of low cost plastic tunnels, mushroom production techniques and preparations and applications of biopesticides and biofungicides solutions to the farmers at field. Shri Phul Man Limboo, Panchayat President and Ms. Tigen Zongha Limboo, Member, 15-Lingchom GPU, West Sikkim also motivated the farmers and thanked whole-heartedly for the efforts of ICAR-NOFRI for empowering the rural farmers through improved production technologies of different crops with critical input support system.
Issued by ICAR-NOFRI
