ICAR Sikkim Centre organizes inception meeting on NMSHE
ICAR Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok organized a day long inception meeting cum training and demonstration under National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) at Timpyem, East Sikkim on 9th March, 2016 in which 30 nos. of progressive tribal farmers participated. The farmers benefited with input support of untreated organic seeds of composite maize (RCM 1-3), along with the bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers. The motive of the program is to sustain Himalayan Ecosystem with adoption of climate adaptive resource conservation techniques. Therefore, it recognizes the need for creation and building of capacities of the farmers to observe and respond to changes in a sustainable manner.
Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre stressed upon the scientific organic production techniques of kharif crops for nutritional security of the rural poor in his remarks. He expressed great satisfaction for the successful adoption of the various production technologies introduced by ICAR Sikkim Centre in the farmers’ field at the village. Further, he urged the farmers to sustain these technologies to enhance the production and productivity of the crops to secure their livelihood. Similarly, he emphasized to capture, store and apply knowledge relating to the vulnerability and changes in the Himalayan ecosystem over extended periods of time.
Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Sr. Scientist (Agronomy) and Programme Coordinator (I/c) highlighted the objectives of programme and briefed about the scientific cultivation of maize intercropped with pulse crops. He also discussed the importance of pulses in cereal based cropping system especially for soil fertility improvement. He also made them aware of the importance of soil fertility status and their management by growing the pulses in the cropping system. He further encouraged the farmers towards establishing the sources of organic inputs within the farm to reduce dependence on outside inputs.
Dr. H. Kalita, Principal Scientist (Entomology) discussed about the insect pest management through Integrated Pest Management under organic condition. He encouraged the farmers to opt for preventive measures of insect pest management especially under organic farming system. He also highlighted the production technology of quality vermicompost and urged the farmers to opt as an agri- entrepreneurial activity among the rural youth.
Dr. Brijesh Kumar, Scientist (AG) briefed about the scientific management of dairy, pig farming and backyard poultry production under organic condition. He highlighted important endemic and pandemic diseases of domestic animals and their preventive control measures.
Mr. Boniface Lepcha, SMS (Horticulture) briefed about the improved production technologies of important summer and kharif vegetable crops in the village. He briefed about the rain water harvesting technology through low cost Jalkund to overcome the acute shortage of irrigation water during dry season.
Dr. J.K. Singh, SMS (Plant Breeding) coordinated the program and briefed about the quality seed multiplication for fulfilling the seeds requirement.
Later on practical field demonstration for cultivation of maize intercropped with pulse crops was demonstrated in farmers’ field during the program.
Demonstration of maize planting to the progressive farmers Input distributeb by the Joint Director Dr. R. K. Avasthe
