ICAR–NOFRI Organized Frontline Demonstration cum Skill Development Program Organic Vegetable Production under Low Cost Protected Structures
ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute, Tadong, Gangtok organized Frontline Demonstration cum Skill Development Program on Organic Vegetable Production for the progressive farmers of Navey Shotak GPU, East Sikkim on May 01, 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 under the guidance and leadership of Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR–NOFRI, Tadong. A total of 43 nos. of progressive farmers participated in the program. During the program, untreated vegetable seeds, organic pesticides, biofertilizer and plastics for construction of low cost plastic tunnels and low cost plastic rain shelters to were distributed to the progressive farmers.
Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture), ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong coordinated the program and 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. Yadav also practically demonstrated the construction of low cost plastic tunnel, bed preparation and crop sowing in field to the farmers.
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 balance nutrition of crops.
Smt. Tashi Doma Bhutia, Panchayat President, Navey Shotak GPU, 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, HCCDD Govt. of Sikkim welcomed all the participants and helped in organizing program at Navey Shotak GPU, East Sikkim.
D.K. Chettri, Panchayat Vice President, Penlong; Pemkit Lepcha, Panchayat Member, Shotak Panchayat; Shankar Pradhan, VLW, Penlong; and Tashi Tshering Bhutia, VLW, Lingdok were also present during program and thanked Joint Director and team for organizing training program. Mr. Topden Tshering Bhutia assisted actively in organizing the program.
Issued by – ICAR-NOFRI, Gangtok
