ICAR – NOFRI Empowered Tribal Farmers of South Sikkim
ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute, Tadong, Gangtok organized two-day Training-cum-Awareness Program on Organic Crop Production at Namphok, South Sikkim during January 5-6, 2017 in order to create awareness and self reliance in organic crop production. A total of 78 nos. of progressive farmers participated in the program. Vegetable seeds, cole crop seedlings, mushroom spawn, plastics, organic pesticides and biofertilizers were distributed. Farmers were detailed about ICAR technologies through power point presentations for quick and easy learning of the technologies.
Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR–NOFRI, Tadong in his address stressed the farmers to increase the cropping intensity and grow more number of crops for sustainable farming in the State. He detailed the organic nutrient management techniques through various sources of organic nutrients and emphasized on the importance of livestock components for production of sufficient quantity of organic manures. Addressing the gathering, he further briefed about the no-till cultivation practices of field pea, lentil and yellow sarson after rice harvest.
Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture), ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong shared the organic production technology for intensive vegetable cultivation under low cost plastic tunnel and rain shelters which can empower the farming community and their livelihood status in Sikkim. He also practically demonstrated the construction of low cost plastic tunnel to the farmers.
Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Senior Scientist (Animal Reproduction), ICAR-NOFRI discussed about the dairy management, backyard poultry and goat management techniques. He emphasized the importance of Vanaraja birds which has gained popularity in Sikkim as backyard poultry.
Dr. Matber Singh, Scientist Senior Scale (Agroforestry), ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong detailed the different agroforestry systems and benefits of incorporation of large cardamom plantations with tree plantations in hill ecosystem.
Dr. N. J. Singh, SMS (Plant Protection), KVK East Sikkim discussed the major insect pests and diseases of Rabi crops in Sikkim conditions and their management strategies through various approaches under organic condition.
Dr. P.K. Pathak, SMS (Animal Science) interacted with the farmers and suggested the methods for maintaining the hygienic housing for piggery along with the proper management of diseases prevalent in the region.
Besides coordinating the program, Shri Boniface Lepcha, SMS (Horticulture), KVK East Sikkim briefed about the nursery management of vegetable crops and practically demonstrated the no-till cultivation of cole crops in rice field.
Ms. Kumari Mangar, Advisor, Commerce and Industries, Govt. of Sikkim; Ms. Sonika Lepcha, Panchayat President; Ms. Tara Devi Chettri, Panchayat Member; Ms. Soma Tamang, Panchayat Member; and Mr. Manoj Rai, Panchayat Secretary of Gagyong GPU, Namphok Ward were also present during program and thanked Joint Director and team for organizing training program.
Issued by – ICAR-NOFRI, Gangtok
Joint Director, Scientist, SMS along with progressive tribal farmers of Namphok ward
Practical demonstration of construction of low cost plastic tunnel Practical demonstration of no-till cultivation of cole crops in rice field
