ICAR-NOFRI Empowers Tribal Farmers of East Sikkim Through Organic Technology and Input Support
ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute (ICAR-NOFRI) organized one day training program at Upper Sirwani GPU, East Sikkim under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) to strengthen tribal farmers’ capacities by dissemination of organic crop production technologies and input support on June 28, 2016. During the program total of 50 progressive farmers of Upper Sirwani GPU participated and benefitted with the organic production technology and various necessary inputs like spray machines, organic pesticides (neem oil, copper oxychloride etc), vermibed sets, organic biofertilizers that were distributed among the farmers. In the inaugural session, Dr R. K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute briefed about the activities of the Centre and the technologies developed for the benefit of the farmers in the presence of Mr. Nandalal Subba, Secretary, 40-Sirwanin Chisopani GPU, Sh. Karma Dichen Bhutia, Member, Steering Committee, SOM and President, FPO, East Sikkim.
In the technical session farmers were trained through different lectures. Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI focussed on the management of soil health for increasing the cropping intensity by adopting the technologies developed by ICAR-NOFRI for livelihood improvement. He emphasized on the adoption of integrated organic farming systems including livestock components. He also stressed on year round vegetable cultivation utilizing low cost plastic tunnel and rain shelter. At the end Joint Director also distributed the inputs to the farmers.
Dr. H. Kalita, Principal Scientist (Entomology) discussed the organic pest and disease management in major crops of East Sikkim. He emphasized on the importance of regular visits and proper monitoring of farms in organic production systems for better management of insect pests. He also briefed about the insect management in organic cultivation of different crops and deliberated on the use of different organic based formulations for managing the diseases in crops. At the end the vermicompost production technology through vermibed was demonstrated.
Dr. R. Islam, Sr. Scientist (Animal Reproduction) also interacted with the farmers and briefed about importance of livestock in organic agriculture and suggested essential measures in scientific dairy, goat and pig farming. He also discussed backyard poultry as an important source of income generation through Vanaraja birds and their management techniques.
Mr. Shaon Kumar Das, Scientist (Soil Science) talked on different sources of organic nutrients for build up of soil fertility. He emphasized on integrated organic nutrient management based on the soil health card and management of acid soils through soil pH based regular application of dolomite/lime for realization of optimum crop yields. Biochar can also be applied for management of acid soil, he informed.
Mr. Boniface Lepcha, SMS (Horticulture) detailed the organic production technologies for vegetable nursery raising and intensive vegetable production which provides opportunities to grow different types of vegetables year round under different climatic conditions.
Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI addressing the progressive farmers of 40-Sirwanin Chisopani GPU, East Sikkim Training and input distribution at 40-Sirwanin Chisopani GPU , East Sikkim
Group photograph at 40-Sirwanin Chisopani GPU, East Sikkim Issued by ICAR-NOFRI
