ICAR KVK ORGANIZES FARMERS MEETING ON PULSES PRODUCTION THROUGH SEED VILLAGE CONCEPT IN SIKKIM
ICAR-NOFRI, Sikkim in collaboration of KVK – East Sikkim has undertaken steps to strengthen the production and promotion of pulses in the International Year of Pulses in Sikkim. In order to promote production of pulses in Sikkim and retention of organic seed through community participatory approach, a day long farmers meeting on pulses production through seed village concept was organized at ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong on August 11, 2016. Total of 54 nos. of progressive farmers from Ralap, Lossing, Thanka Martam and Pakyong village, East Sikkim participated in the program. Seeds of Rajma (Tripura Rajma-1) with organic pesticides and bio-fertilizer were distributed to the farmers.
The programme was chaired by Dr. R. K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR – NOFRI, Tadong. Addressing the gathering he highlighted the importance of pulses in cropping sequence for higher profitability under changing climatic scenario. He detailed the importance of pulses especially for soil health in cereal based cropping system. Further, he stressed on the importance of the quality organic seed in the State. He encouraged the farmers to undertake production of quality seed and to retain them for next two to three years to become self-reliant in organic seeds and motivated the farmers to develop agri-preneurial ability towards the organic seed production to uplift their livelihood as well as self sufficiency in seed since there is huge demand of organic seeds in the state.
Initiating the programme Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Programme Coordinator (I/c) and Sr. Scientist (Agronomy), ICAR- NOFRI presented the organic package and practices of black gram (Pahenlo dal) and Rajma in maize-based cropping system followed by buckwheat and mustard. He emphasized on the importance of inclusion of leguminous crop in cropping system to increase cropping intensity and especially for soil fertility improvement. He urged the farming community to adopt the scientific cultivation practices of pulses and other crops to undertake intercultural operations more effectively during the cropping period.
Coordinating the programme Dr. J. K. Singh, SMS (Plant Breeding) briefed the concept of seed village as well as quality seed production of pulse crops which will empower the farming community through input support system for upliftment of their livelihood status. He also elaborated the farmers about the importance of quality seeds.
Dr. N.J. Singh, SMS (Plant Protection) discussed about pests and diseases management strategies through various approaches under organic condition. He emphasized the farmers to prefer preventive measures of insect pests’ management especially under organic farming system.
Miss. Pallabi Phukan, SMS (Agril. Extension), Anushree Gogoi, Programme Assistant (Home Science), Mr. Pradeep Chettri, RA, NICRA and Miss. Meena Pradhan, SRF, NICRA assisted in smooth execution of the programme.
Farmers’ were exposed to scientific cultivation of black gram in maize-based cropping system by KVK experts during the program at ICAR-NOFRI research farm in the afternoon.
The programme ended with vote of thanks proposed by Sh. Boniface Lepcha, SMS (Horticulture).
