ICAR-KVK East Sikkim strengthens farmers through input support system
In order to strengthen the organic seed production among the farming community through farmers’ participatory mode, ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ranipool organized training cum input support programme on July 10, 2017 in the presence of 22 progressive farmers at Mamjay, East Sikkim under National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm programme (NMOOP). An improved soybean variety PS-1347 was distributed amongst the progressive farmers during the programme for cluster frontline demonstration of soybean. NMOOP envisages increase in production of vegetable oils sourced from oilseeds from 7.06 million tonnes (average of 2007-08 to 2011-12) to 9.51 million tonnes by the end of Twelfth Plan (2016-17) in the country. The strategy to implement the proposed Mission has included increasing Seed Replacement Ratio (SRR) with focus on Varietal Replacement; diversification of area from low yielding cereals crops to oilseeds crops; inter-cropping of oilseeds with cereals/pulses and use of fallow land after potato cultivation.
Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute, Tadong, Sikkim encouraged the farmers to undertake production of quality seed of soybean and become self dependent in organic seeds. He urged the farming community of the locality to develop Mamjay, and other adjoining villages of East Sikkim as quality organic seed production hub. He also stressed upon agri-prenurial ability towards the organic seed production by the farmers to uplift their livelihood as well as self sufficiency in seed since there is huge demand of organic seeds in the state. The programme was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Sr. Scientist and Head (I/c), KVK East Sikkim, Ranipool.
Dr. P. K. Pathak (SMS-Animal Sc), Dr. J. K. Singh (SMS-Plant Breeding), Dr. N.J. Singh (SMS-Plant Protection) and Sh. Boniface Lepcha (SMS-Horticulture) interacted with the farmers to share their expertise on the improved production technologies of kharif crops and livestock management for the improvement of production and productivity of agriculture farming in the village.
Mr. Subash Khatiwara, progressive farmer of the village expressed his happiness towards the endeavors putforth by ICAR-KVK East Sikkim with different agricultural technologies in the village. He further assured better cooperation on behalf of the farmers towards the organization through development of other agricultural activities for the welfare of farming community.
Issued by KVK-East Sikkim
Input distribution
