Krishi Yuva Samman 2017 to Progressive Farmer of East Sikkim
A progressive farmer, Mrs. Penki Lepcha has been selected from Timpyem village, East district of Sikkim for the prestigious Mahindra Samridhi India Agri award 2017 under youth category in recognition of her excellence in zero till vegetable pea in rice-fallow. She was presented the award by Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Honourable Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India; Shri Parshottam Rupala and Shri Sudarshan Bhagat,Honourable State Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India and Mr. Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra and Mahindra Group of Companies; Shri Aashish Bahuguna, Managing Director, Mahindra and Mahinda Ltd. on Feb 2, 2017 at Hotel Ashoka Chankyapuri, New Delhi.
A light-house for young farmers of Sikkim, Penki dared to adopt different innovative agricultural technologies on various crops. Thereafter, with regular guidance of Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI and Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Sr. Scientist and Head (I/c) of ICAR-KVK East Sikkim and scientists started demonstration on zero-till vegetable pea in rice-fallow in order to enhance the farm income and livelihood status of the farming community at Timpyem village under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) project with the support of low cost rain water harvesting structure “Jalkund”. The objective of the demonstration was to enhance the cropping intensity of the village by utilizing the residual soil moisture of Kharif rice during 2014-15. The technology not only saved energy but also helped in enriching the soil health by improved soil organic carbon (SOC) status due to non-disturbance of soil.
Successful implementation of the technology resulted in the progressive farmer obtaining 12.9 per cent higher green pod yield of vegetable pea under the resource conservation practices over the traditional practices and B:C ratio increased from 1.57 to 3.44 by enhancing the cropping intensity of the area to 200 per cent.
She was honoured with a trophy at the Regional level, cash prize (for individuals) of Rs. 51,000 and a certificate.
Issued by Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI
