ICAR–NOFRI Empowered Progressive Farmers of East Sikkim.
ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute, Tadong, Gangtok organized Training-cum-Frontline Demonstration Program on Organic Vegetable Production for the progressive farmers of Lingdok, East Sikkim on March 02, 2019 in order to create awareness and self-reliance in organic vegetable crop production under All India Coordinated Research Project on Plasticulture Engineering and Technology. A total of 31 nos. of progressive farmers participated in the program.
Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR–NOFRI, Tadong in his address stressed the farmers to increase the cropping intensity and grow more number of crops for sustainable farming in the State. He also emphasized on the importance of scientific knowledge for commercial production of organic crops to bring about perceptible change in the region. Joint Director also distributed untreated vegetable seeds, organic pesticides, biofertilizers and plastics for construction of low cost plastic tunnels and low cost plastic rain shelters to progressive farmers.
Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture), ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong coordinated the program and also shared the organic production technology for intensive vegetable cultivation under low cost plastic tunnel and rain shelters which can empower the farming community and their livelihood status in Sikkim.
Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Principal Scientist (Animal Reproduction), ICAR-NOFRI discussed in detail about the backyard poultry, dairy and goat management techniques. He emphasized on the importance of Vanaraja birds which has gained popularity in Sikkim as backyard poultry. He also briefed about the disease management in dairy and backyard poultry.
Shri Shaon Kr. Das, Scientist (Soil Science) talked on the organic nutrient management techniques in vegetable crops and emphasized on the need of proper management of soil acidity for balanced nutrition of crops.
Dr. Chandramani Raj, Scientist (Plant Pathology) shared the information on pest and disease management in organic vegetables crop production. He stressed on the need of proper crop rotation to avoid diseases in vegetable crops.
Dr. Sudip Kumar Dutta, Scientist SS (Horticulture) highlighted the importance of nursery in organic vegetable crop production and briefed about the nursery management techniques.
Smt. Devika Khatiwada, Zilla Member, East Sikkim in her address thanked the Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI for organizing program and imparting knowledge regarding agricultural practices and also for providing quality inputs to them. She also convinced farmers to cultivate their land and generate income to improve their living standard and become self-dependent.
Earlier, Smt. Kabita Basnet, Horticulture Inspector, Lingdok, HCCDD Govt. of Sikkim welcomed all the participants and helped in organizing program at Lingdok, East Sikkim.
Shri Vishnu Bhakt Gautam, Panchayat President, Lingdok and Smt. Kesang Doma Bhutia, Panchayat Vice President, Lingdok were also present during program and thanked Joint Director and team for organizing training program. Dr. Ashish Yadav, Dr. Sudip Kumar Dutta, Dr. Chandramani Raj, Mr. Navin Kumar and Mr. Topden Tshering Bhutia demonstrated the construction of low cost plastic tunnel, bed preparation and crop sowing in the field to the farmers.
Issued by: ICAR-NOFRI, Gangtok
