ICAR's Technological Backstopping through Input Support System for livelihood Improvement at Lower Sadam
ICAR Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok organized an “Technological Backstoping Through Input Support System For Livelihood Improvement” at Lower Sadam, South Sikkim on 21st September, 2015 under the project entitled National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA). In the line of success of NICRA project in other districts of Sikkim, initiative was taken by ICAR Sikkim Centre for conducting demonstration of best-bet and cost-effective climate resilient technologies in farmers’ fields in Lower Sadam village, mostly comprising of farmers from Sadbhavana Farmer’s Club and individual practicing farmers of Sadam Suntaley GPU which is often badly affected by drought due to climate change. In this programme, quality organic garden pea seeds were distributed among more than 40 farmers that attended the programme. The programme was initiated to encourage the farmers with previous technological intervention of water harvesting technology of Jalkund during Rabi season.
Amidst warm felicitation by the farmers, Dr. R. K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex, Sikkim Centre appreciated the enthusiasm of farmers for large-scale adoption of improved technologies evolved by ICAR that can bring significant improvement in the livelihood status of the farming community. He emphasized upon the importance of conservation of soil and water under changing climes of mountainous ecosystems and urged the farmers to undertake farming especially during winter season through Jalkund driven irrigation systems to grow different vegetable crops. He also highlighted the importance of the organic nutrition to the agricultural and horticultural crops and the grow legumes to reduce the gap in nutrient demand in the state.
In his brief deliberation Dr. Ashish Yadav, Sr. Scientist (Horticulture), ICAR Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok outlined the rationale of Rabi season vegetable crops cultivation under life-saving irrigation through Jalkund that can increase the cropping intensity leading to more benefit to small and marginal farmers in the region. He briefed about the organic production technology of garden pea, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli under open condition. He mainly detailed the organic production technology for intensive vegetable cultivation under low cost plastic tunnels and rain shelters which provide opportunities to grow 14 different vegetables during climatic hazards in the region.
Dr. Mahak Singh, Scientist (Animal Reproduction) interacted with the farmers and briefed about the importance of livestock in organic agriculture and suggested methods for proper hygienic housing for prevention of mastitis and other seasonal diseases. He also discussed about the importance of regular breeding of livestock for increased production and proper management in backyard poultry for more profits.
Mr. Boniface Lepcha, SMS (Horticulture), KVK, Ranipool discussed about the construction of low-cost Jalkund and its maintenance for higher longevity. He urged the farmers to build the entrepreneurial ability to uplift their livelihood through sustainable farming. Mr. Lepcha also made the farmers aware of the importance of the economics of crops production to realize the economic feasibility of the crops under organic condition.
Shri Hem Prasad Chauhan, Chief Coordinator, Sadbhavana Farmer’s Club, Lower Sadam expressed his happiness over the endeavors putforth by ICAR Sikkim Centre, Tadong with different agricultural technologies in the region as well as in the state and further ensured better cooperation on behalf of other practicing farmers towards the organization in carrying out other agricultural activities for the welfare of farming community.
