ICAR-KVK strengthens farmers for production of pulses and oilseeds in East Sikkim
In order to expand the area and production of oilseeds and pulses in East district of Sikkim, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR Sikkim Centre, Ranipool, East Sikkim organized training cum input distribution program on Rabi pulses and oilseeds. The programme was organized under National Food Security Mission (NFSM). In the state, during winter season no and/or very scanty rainfall occurs due to climate change, hence farmers do not grow any crop and leave their land fallow. Therefore, KVK strengthened the farming community of East Sikkim by providing them improved varieties along with the organic inputs. The programme was held on November 26, 2015 at Sang Burung Ward, East Sikkim. A total of 42 progressive farmers from Burung and adjoining area participated in the program. The farmers benefited with input support of untreated seeds of field pea (Prakash), lentil (HUL – 57) and yellow sarson (B-9) along with the bio-pesticides.
Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre stressed upon the scientific organic production techniques of oilseeds and pulses for nutritional security of the rural poor in his remarks. He highlighted the importance of pulses in human diet and correlated it with present market price. He suggested to the farmers to keep some bio-pesticides at their residences. He urged the farmers to be self dependent in organic seeds through its multiplication for timely sowing/planting in the next season. He informed the farmers for utilizing their farm land by sowing of field pea and/ or lentil under no till condition after rice harvest which they kept fallow during winter season. By adopting the no till sowing of rabi pulses the cropping intensity would increase up to at least 200 per cent for livelihood security of the farming community.
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 cultivation of field pea and yellow sarson in rice fallow. He also discussed the importance of pulses in cereal based cropping system especially for soil fertility improvement. He also made them aware of the importance of soil fertility status and their management by growing the pulses in the cropping system. He further encouraged the farmers towards establishing the sources of organic inputs within the farm to reduce dependence on outside inputs.
Dr. N.J. Singh, SMS (Plant Protection) discussed about the insect pests management through various approaches under organic condition. He emphasized the farmers to go for preventive measures of insects pest management especially under organic farming system.
Mr. Boniface Lepcha, SMS (Horticulture) briefed about the cultivation practices of vegetable pea and year round vegetable cultivation in Sikkim and also described the newly developed technologies suited to small and marginal farmers in vegetable cultivation.
Dr. J.K. Singh, SMS (Plant Breeding) interacted with the farmers for production of quality seeds of pulses and oilseed crops and retain them for becoming self-dependent for cultivation by keeping seeds for the next season.
Sh. Vinod Subba, young progressive farmer, showed his sincere expression of gratitude to ICAR Sikkim Centre for continuous support for the upliftment of resource poor farmers. He urged the farmers to adopt the technologies developed by ICAR for enhancing the production and productivity of various pulses and oilseeds in the region.
Later on practical field demonstration for cultivation of field pea and garden pea under no-tillage system was demonstrated by KVK experts during the program.
Mrs. Deepa Lepcha, Ms. Neena Giri and Ms. Gyani Maya of ICS, SIMFED actively participated and motivated the farmers for growing of oilseeds and pulses in the area.
Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director addressing to the farmers Input distributed to the progressive farmers
Demonstration on no-till field pea/yellow sarson in rice fallow
