MAIZE DAY CELEBRATED AT ICAR, SIKKIM CENTRE

 

ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong organized Maize Day on 01st July, 2014 under NICRA in order to create awareness among farmers for climate resilient agriculture. Shri Somnath Poudyal, Hon’ble Minister, FS&ADD and HCCDD, Govt. of Sikkim inaugurated the function as Chief Guest. In his inaugural address, he appreciated the scientists of ICAR for their need based research and leadership of the Joint Director.


He appreciated the efforts made by the farming community and the state officials for making state fully organic by 2015 which is one of the dreams of the present Chief Minister of the state. He advised all department officials, ICAR and farmers to be fully equipped with new technologies related to organic agriculture and implement them in farmer’s field. He also asked the  officers  to  educate  farmers  practically  in  the  field  and  make  them  self  sufficient  in agricultural produce. Seven extension folders published by ICAR Sikkim Centre for transfer of some promising technologies to the farmers were also released by the Chief Guest. Different organic agricultural inputs were also distributed by the Hon’ble Minister to empower the farmers technologically. Later, Hon’ble Minister also visited ICAR Research Farm along with state officials; he appreciated the research work carried out at ICAR Sikkim centre. The function was attended by more than 100 farmers of various districts of Sikkim and officers from FS&ADD and HCCDD, Govt. of Sikkim.


Shri S.K. Jha IAS, Commissioner cum Secretary, AHLF &VS, Govt. of Sikkim emphasized on the nutritional importance of maize for human and livestock as much of the food and fodder requirements is met through this miracle crop. He stressed on the importance of organic agricultural produce in relation to human health and also organic produce fetches better market prices by which farmers reap more benefits.


Shri P. T. Bhutia, Secretary, FS & ADD and HCCDD, Govt. of Sikkim advised the farmers to adopt Integrated Farming System to address the issue of climate change. He also mentioned that in case of failure of one enterprise, farmers may be compensated by another enterprise in Integrated Farming System. He encouraged farmers to practice rural composting and vermi-composting to sustain organic crop production. Further he highlighted the need of setting up seed villages and area specific crop production and assured the farmers regarding training for seed processing and cold storage facilities.

Dr. S. Kumar, IFS, Managing Director, Sikkim Milk Union, Govt. of Sikkim highlighted the importance of maize as animal feed and encouraged the farmers to produce sufficient maize to fulfill the nutritional requirement of animals.


Earlier, Dr. R. K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Sikkim Centre warmly welcomed all dignitaries on the dais, officers and farmers. He highlighted the issue of climate change and its impact on agriculture. He also mentioned some major issues to be faced in changing climatic conditions in the state and the efforts being made by ICAR to address those issues. He showed the serious concern about changing winter rain fall pattern which resulted in low production of large cardamom and mandarin in the state and needed immediate attention of the policy maker to address this issue. At last he informed the house and Hon’ble Minister that our institute is working in participatory research mode by conducting trials at farmer’s field through KVK and also empowered the farmers technologically through input support system.


In the beginning of the programme, Dr. H. Kalita, Principal Scientist, ICAR Sikkim Centre heartily welcomed all the dignitaries, officers from state departments and farmers to the programme. Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) proposed the vote of thanks.
Various technologies and research trials were shown to the Hon’ble Minister and participants during field visit.