ICAR -NOFRI Organises Maize Day Cum Farmers Scientists Interaction
Maize is an important cereal crop not only in India but world too. It has been growing in almost 150 million ha area in more than 160 countries. The productivity of maize in world (4.92 t/ha) is nearly two times more than our country (2.45 t/ha) and three times of Sikkim (1.75 t/ha). Keeping the importance of maize in view, ICAR – National Organic Farming Research Institute, Tadong has undertaken research to develop location specific technologies to address farmers concerns for more than four decades now. To mitigate the problems caused by the changing climatic conditions, ICAR is working in an integrated manner and has developed some technologies to increase cropping intensity, off-season vegetable cultivation under low cost plastic tunnel and shelter, organic nutrient and insect pests and disease management, livestock production and poultry farming etc. Maize is the major cereal crop of the state covering around 40,000 ha. Presently, ICAR is working on several aspects of maize to address the problems related to climate change. Therefore, the Maize Day was organized to showcase the technologies to the state government officials and farming community of Sikkim on July 20, 2017. Dr. Senthil Kumar, IFS, Special Secretary, RM&DD, Govt. of Sikkim graced the occasion as Chief Guest and Dr. Yashoda Pradhan, Chief Executive Officer, SSOCA, Govt. of Sikkim was the Guest of Honour of the programme. The dignitaries from state and other departments present on the occasion were; Smt. S.L Dorjee, Director (Agriculture), FSADD; Smt Asha Lama, Director, SAMETI, and Smt. Bina Rai, Deputy Director, FSADD, Shri Palden, SSOCA, all the scientists and subject matter specialists of ICAR – NOFRI and Krishi Vigyan Kendra East Sikkim and more than 100 farmers were also present in the programme.
In his inaugural speech, Dr. Senthil Kumar, IFS, Special Secretary, RM&DD, Govt. of Sikkim applauded the role of ICAR-NOFRI in Sikkim with outstanding research contributions, better cooperation and collaborative programs for the betterment of the Sikkim farmers. He emphasized that ICAR is playing a lead role in imparting in training to the state officials and farmers for organic production of crops. He also appreciated Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI and team of Scientists and SMSes for the efforts in spreading the improved technologies in to farming community. He urged the farming community for production, processing and value addtion for efficient marketing to for higher returns of their commodities. He also requested the gathering for adopting the organic package and practices for maize in system mode.
Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI, addressed all the dignitaries and farmers and briefed about the history of maize in Sikkim and importance of maize with diversification of its use through value addition and developing maize-based cropping sequences for increasing cropping intensity in the State which would help in doubling the farmers income and cropping inttensity by at least 200 per cent in the state. He focused on adoption of the technology which cope up with the climate change as well as conservation of the local landraces.
Dr. Yashoda Pradhan, CEO, SSOCA, Govt. of Sikkim briefed about the procedure for certification of different crops. She elaborated in detail the functioning of the SSOCA. She also discussed the NPOP guidelines for adoption of certification process.Smt. S.L Dorjee, Director (Agriculture), FSADD, addressed the august gathering and appreciated the ICAR- NOFRI for their cooperation and also briefed about the activities being implemented at farmers level in different areas of the state by the FSAD Department, Govt. of Sikkim.
During the inaugural session, Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) welcomed the Chief Guest and all dignitaries and participating farmers. He also briefed about the maize history in the state.
In the Farmers’ Scientists Interaction programme, Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR NOFRI, briefed about the Central Government sponsored schemes viz., Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY), Paramparagat Krishi Vikash Yojana (PMKVY) and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) in the presence of state govt. officials. There was lively interaction between the farmers, stae officials and ICAR scientists for addressing different problems faced at farmer’s level in agriculture production. The state officials suggested suitable measures of the problems raised by the farmers during interaction. After the farmers - scientist interaction, improved technologies were showcased to the famres at Resaerch Farm. The Farmers’ Scientists Interaction was convenied by Sh. Boniface Lepcha, SMS (Horticulture), KVK East Sikkim.
At the end of the programme Dr. Ashish Yadav, Sr. Scientist (Horticulture) proposed the vote of thanks. The inaugural programme was coordinated by Sh. S. M. Kandwal, Technical Officer, ICAR-NOFRI.
Chief Guest Dr.P Senthil Kumar, IFS, Special Secretary, RMDD, Govt. of Sikkim addressing to the farmers Dr. R.K. Avasthe addressing to the gathering
Farmers - Scientist Interaction
Showcasing the ICAR technology to the farmers at Research Fram Issued by the Joint Director, ICAR -NOFRI
