ICAR-NOFRI Empowers Tribal Farmers of East Sikkim Through Technological Backstopping and Input Support

 

ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute organized one day training program at Sumin Lingchey 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 15, 2016. During the program total of 78 progressive farmers of Sumin Lingchey GPU participated and benefitted with the technical know how and various necessary inputs like spray machines, organic pesticides (neem oil, copper oxychloride etc), vermibed sets, different organic biofertilizers, dolomite/lime and neem cake that were distributed among the farmers. In the inaugural session of, 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 Mrs. Kabita Rai, Vice-President, 01 Sumin Lingchey GPU, Karma Dichen Bhutia, President, FPO, East Sikkim and ex-zilla Panchayat member.

In the technical session farmers were trained through different lectures. Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI stressed on 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 farming system 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 stressed on the importance of regular visit 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. In the end, he demonstrated the vermicompost production technology through vermibed.

Dr. R. Islam, Sr. Scientist (Animal Reproduction) also interacted with the farmers and briefed about importance of livestock in organic agriculture and suggested vital methods for scientific dairy, goat and pig farming. He also discussed backyard poultry management techniques.

Mr. Shaon Kumar Das, Scientist (Soil Science) talked on different sources of organic nutrients for build up of soil fertility. He also 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 under different climatic conditions.

 
Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI addressing the progressive farmers of Sumin Lingchey GPU, East Sikkim   Training and input distribution at Sumin Lingchey GPU, East Sikkim
   
 

Group photograph at Sumin Lingchey GPU, East Sikkim

 

Issued by ICAR-NOFRI