ICAR-KVK strengthens farmers through input support under NICRA at Nandok.
Moving forward after realizing the impact of climate resilient technology demonstrations under “National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA)”, ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, East Sikkim conducted improved backyard poultry (Vanaraja) chicks distribution cum training programme at Lower Nandok village of Nandok GPU, East Sikkim on November 8, 2016. More than 400 numbers of Vanaraja poultry chicks were distributed among 16 selected farmers of Nandok village where 35 farmers participated in the programme.
The program was chaired by Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR- NOFRI, Tadong, Gangtok. At the outset, he encouraged the farmers to undertake scientific backyard poultry production with Vanaraja birds for fulfill the household nutritional requirement in terms of quality egg and meat. He also said that a farmer can generate an additional income of Rs. 1500 to 2000/- per bird in a period of one year by selling eggs and meat in the local market. He mainly focused upon the necessity of unemployed rural youth to adopt agriculture as their business for their livelihood security.
Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Programme Coordinator (I/c) ICAR-KVK East Sikkim highlighted the importance of Integrated Farming System (IFS) for higher income and employment generation. He emphasized on the linkage between backyard farming and crop production under integrated organic farming system. He urged the farming community to rear livestock and poultry in each and every household for sustaining the soil-plant-animal-human continuum. The farmers present were also made aware of the effect of climate change in the agriculture and the farmers were suggested to implement every possible technology for converting agriculture into profitable venture.
Dr. P.K Pathak, SMS (Animal Science) highlighted about the different technologies demonstrated related to livestock and poultry in the Nandok village under NICRA and its positive impact. He reiterated that the backyards in rural areas are rich in “Natural Food Base” and by rearing Vanarja birds in every household these food materials can be ploughed back into human food chain by converting them into nutritionally balanced and delicious egg and chicken meat. He explained about the scientific poultry housing, brooding management of chicks and the prevention and treatment of poultry diseases.
Mr. Boniface Lepcha, SMS (Horticulture) interacted with the farmers in relation to the most significant production problems of crops and livestock and also encouraged the rural youth and farming community to develop small scale industry to strengthen their livelihoods.
Two progressive farmers of Nandok, Mr. Nim Tshering Lepcha and Mr. Rajesh Rai also addressed from the farmer’s side about their experience in poultry farming with Vanaraja birds. The Panchayat, Lower Nandok Mrs. Phurba Doma expressed her gratitude towards KVK, ICAR, East Sikkim for regularly providing the necessary input support to the farmers of Nandok.
The media person, Mr. Bhim Pandey and his team from DoorDarshan Kendra, Gangtok were also present in the programme and recorded the whole programme for telecast through DDK, Gangtok and Kisan Channel.
Dr. J.K. Singh, SMS (Plant Breeding) and Miss Pallabi Phukan, SMS (Agriculture Extension) assisted in the smooth execution of the programme.
Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR - NOFRI addresing to the progressive farmers Day old chcks of Vanaraja distributed to the progressive farmers of Nandok
