Press Release: ICAR Sikkim Centre Organize Maize Day
ICAR Sikkim Centre has undertaken research to develop location specific technologies to address farmers concerns for more than three decades now. To mitigate the problems caused by the changing climatic conditions, ICAR is working in an integrated manner and has developed some technologies to increase cropping intensity, off-season vegetable cultivation under low cost plastic tunnel and shelter, organic nutrient and insect pests and disease management, livestock production and poultry farming etc. Maize is the major cereal crop of the state covering around 40,000 ha. Presently, ICAR is working on several aspects of maize to address the problems related to climate change. Therefore the Maize Day was organized to showcase the technologies and germplasm screening process to the state government officials and farming community of Sikkim on 1st July, 2015. Shri P. T. Bhutia, Director, Horticulture and Cash Crop Development Department, Govt. of Sikkim graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The dignitaries from state and other departments present on the occasion were Dr. Senthil Kumar, IFS, MD, Sikkim Milk Union; Shri P.K. Dewan, Addl. Director, FSADD; Smt Asha Lama, Joint Director, FSADD and Project Director, ATMA, East Sikkim, Smt. Bina Rai, Deputy Director, FSADD, all the scientists of ICAR Sikkim Centre and more than 50 farmers were also present.
In his inaugural speech, Shri P. T. Bhutia, Director, H&CCDD, GOS applauded the role of ICAR in Sikkim with outstanding research contributions, better cooperation and collaborative programs. He emphasized that ICAR is playing a lead role in training the state officials and farmers for organic production techniques. He also appreciated Joint Director, ICAR Sikkim Centre and team of Scientists for the efforts in preparation of manuscript on system-based year round organic production technologies to be published shortly. He emphasized on the conservation of biodiversity of maize through Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Right Act.
Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Sikkim Centre, addressed all the dignitaries and farmers and briefed about the history of maize in Sikkim and importance of maize with diversification of its use through value addition and developing maize-based cropping sequences for increasing cropping intensity in the State which would help in conserving precious top soil. He focused on climate change and its impact on crop production.
Dr. Senthil Kumar, Managing Director, Sikkim Milk Union, while addressing the farmers briefed about importance of maize for livestock and poultry production besides human consumption. He emphasized on the enhancement of SNF (Solid Not Fat) content in milk through incorporation of more maize ingredient in livestock feed.
Shri P.K. Dewan, Addl. Director, FSADD and Smt Asha Lama, Joint Director, FSADD and Project Director, ATMA, East Sikkim, addressed the august gathering and appreciated the ICAR Sikkim Centre for their cooperation. They also briefed about their activities being implemented at farmers level in different areas of the state by the FSAD Department.
During the inaugural session, Dr. H. Kalita, Principal Scientist (Entomology) welcomed the Chief Guest and all dignitaries and participating farmers.
In the programme the Chief Guest distributed various inputs viz., Vanaraja chicks, Sikkim mandarin seedling, Jalkund, silpaulin for making plastic tunnel and shelter, mushroom spawn, biofertilizers etc to the tribal farmers.
In the Farmers’ Scientists Interaction programme, Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Sikkim Centre, briefed about the importance of soil testing and soil health management. Dr. H. Kalita, Principal Scientist (Entomology) discussed on organic insect pests and disease management; Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) taught the farmers regarding off-season vegetable cultivation through low cost plastic tunnel and shelter; Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) discussed about the cropping system; Dr. Subhash Babu, Scientist (Agronomy) told about integrated farming system; Shri Shaon K. Das, Scientist (Soil Science) briefed about organic nutrient management; Dr. Matber Singh, Scientist SS (Agroforestry) discussed about the importance of agro-forestry for livelihood improvement of tribal farmers, Dr. Brijesh Kumar, Scientist (Animal Reproduction) interacted with the farmers regarding the common and major problems faced by them during livestock production and Dr. Mahak Singh, Scientist (Animal Reproduction) discussed regarding poultry production techniques. There was lively interaction between the farmers and ICAR scientists for addressing different problems faced at farmer’s level in agriculture production. Sh. Karma Dichen Bhutia, Member, Steering Committee, Sikkim Organic Mission, expressed his gratitude to ICAR for the technical and input support rendered to the tribal farmers. Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) proposed the vote of thanks. The inaugural programme was coordinated by Sh. S. M. Kandwal, Technical Officer, ICAR Sikkim Centre.
Dignitaries sitting in the dais in the inauguration programme of Maize Day Chief Guest is distributing inputs to the progressive farmers
Farmers’ Scientists Interaction Technology demonstrated to the farmers
