State Level Research Advisory Committee Meeting held at ICAR-NOFRI
The State Level Research Advisory Committee Meeting was organized at ICAR-NOFRI, Gangtok to discuss the farmer’s need based research and review over all research achievements. Dr. R.K. Avasthe, the Joint Director of ICAR-NOFRI, welcomed and felicitated all the dignitaries and briefed the achievement to the august gathering. He stressed on the climate change in Sikkim especially the decline in rain fall particularly winter rainfall and increase in extreme rainfall affecting the production and increased incidences of diseases and pests. He showed the serious concern about low cropping intensity in Sikkim and suggested the adoption of ICAR-developed technologies to increase the cropping intensity. He also urges the farmers to adopt zero till pea, mustard and cole crop to improve their livelihood and to maintain soil health. Dr. H.K. Chettri, Principal Director, Department of A.H.L.F. and V.S. emphasized that animal husbandry is an integral component of hill farming without proper well being of livestock, organic farming sustainability is questionable. He also highlighted the steps taken by Department to achieve fully organic livestock production and showed strong concern over non-availability of organic concentrate feed for livestock of Sikkim. In order to retain unemployed rural youth in rural area it is necessary to teach them livestock and poultry farming as they provide quick returns with meager input he stated. Dr. P. Senthil Kumar, IFS, Special Secretary, Rural Management and Development Department Deptt, Govt. of Sikkim, appreciated the Joint Director and his team for quality research achievements and technology developed despite limitations. He also expressed concern about the climate change and exhorted the farming community and scientists to take climate change as opportunity for diversifying the crop cultivation. He urged the ICAR to address 10 percent of the research on social and market issues which will increase the value of technical research. He also called upon the scientific community for the development of process/ semi processed packaged product which could serve as souvenir for the enormous mass of tourists visiting Sikkim. He encouraged the scientists of animal sciences to undertake research on parasitic infestations, various reproductive disorders and nutrient deficiency in livestock and poultry as animal husbandry acts as the chief source of livelihood in rural Sikkim. Dr. R.P. Mishra, Dean, CAE and PHT, Ranipool, emphasized on mechanization of agriculture which can be used for organic seed production and supply to farming community. He also suggested the value addition of the agricultural produce through post harvest technology. Sri Puneet Kansal, IAS, Secretary cum commissioner Department of Food Security and Agriculture Development, Govt. of Sikkim, Chief Guest of the events, praised the state government ICAR-NOFRI for their technologies developed for organic farming for state of Sikkim. He expressed that organic honey and vegetable production that could be routed through milk collection van for strengthening the marketing. He also threw light on the possibility of multi layered cropping in green houses to maximize output. He also suggested that a Workshop to be organized by State Government with ICAR-NOFRI, for officials and field functionaries to address the problems at field level. The meeting was also attended by representatives by line departments like Spices Board, Sikkim Organic Mission, SAMETI, ATMA, SOM, BSI, NABARD, ISBD and GBPNIHESD and four progressive farmers also attended the discussion. In the technical session the scientists at ICAR-NOFRI presented the salient achievements for the previous year and also proposed new research projects. Dr Avasthe, presented the salient findings of Soil Science. Dr. R. Singh, Sr. Scientist (Agronomy), Dr. Ashish Yadav, Sr. Scientist (Horticulture), Dr. Rafiqul Islam Sr. Scientist and Dr. Brijesh Kumar, Scientist (Animal Science) highlighted the salient achievement of their disciplines. Dr. Chandramani Raj and Shweta Singh, Scientist, Plant Pathology, proposed new projects for the department of Plant Pathology. There was lively discussion between scientists, officials and progressive farmers. The session concluded with vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Ashish Yadav.
Issued by: ICAR-NOFRI, Gangtok
Sri Puneet Kansal IAS, Secretary cum Commissioner, Department of FSADD, Govt. of Sikkim addressing to the gathering in inaugural session. Dr. P. Senthil Kumar, IFS Special Secretary, Rural Management and Development Department, Govt of Sikkim
Dr. R.K Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR NOFRI presenting overview in front of Members SLRAC Group photographs of Members of the State Level Research Advisory Committee, ICAR-NOFRI
