ICAR – NOFRI Trained Tribal Farmers On Organic Crop Production.
In continuation of observation of Jai Kisan-Jai Vigyan week, two-day Training cum Awareness Program on ‘Organic Crop Production’ was organized for the Tribal Farmers of Assam Lingzey under TSP project by the ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute, Tadong, Gangtok in collaboration with ICAR-KVK East Sikkim during December 27-28, 2016. During the TSP training program, a total of 48 nos. of progressive farmers participated in the program. Seeds of vegetable pea, mushroom spawn, plastics, organic pesticides and biofertilizers were distributed. On the first day, farmers were present at ICAR Tadong and detailed about organic crop production, organic nutrient management and animal husbandry techniques through power point presentations for quick and easy learning of the ICAR technologies. Later, farmers also visited ICAR-NOFRI Research Farm to get equipped with latest ICAR technologies. On the second day, a team of ICAR scientist visited Assam Lingzey for On Farm Training and farmers were educated on organic fruits, vegetables, nursery management, disease and pest management and agroforestry technologies.
Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR–NOFRI, Tadong in his address stressed the farmers to increase the cropping intensity and grow more number of crops for sustainable farming in the State. He detailed the organic nutrient management techniques through various sources of organic nutrients. He emphasized on the importance of inclusion of leguminous crops in cropping system which not only increase the cropping intensity from the existing 118% to 200-300 per cent and but improves the soil fertility. Addressing the gathering, he further discussed the year round cropping sequences for higher profitability under climatic change scenario and urged the farmers for establishing the sources of organic inputs within the farm to reduce dependence on external inputs and also to undertake on-farm production of quality seeds for future use.
Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong shared the organic production technology of kiwifruit and Sikkim mandarin. He also presented the cultivation practices for year round organic vegetable cultivation under low cost plastic tunnel and rain shelters which can empower the farming community and their livelihood status in Sikkim.
Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) and Program Coordinator (I/c), KVK–East Sikkim presented the organic conservation agriculture and package of practices for maize and rice based cropping system. He also briefed about the no-till cultivation practices of field pea, lentil and yellow sarson after rice harvest.
Dr. Matber Singh, Scientist Senior Scale (Agroforestry) ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong detailed the different agroforestry systems and benefits of incorporation of large cardamom plantations with tree plantations in hill ecosystem. He detailed the horticulture based, crop based and fodder based agroforestry systems.
Dr. N. J. Singh, SMS (Plant Protection) KVK East Sikkim discussed the major insect pests and diseases of Rabi crops in Sikkim conditions and their management strategies through various approaches under organic condition. He emphasized the farmers to opt for preventive measures of pests’ and diseases management in vegetables and other crops especially under organic farming system for increasing productivity.
Dr. P.K. Pathak, SMS (Animal Husbandry) interacted with the farmers and suggested the methods for maintaining the hygienic housing for dairy cattle along with the proper management of diseases prevalent in the region. He also discussed backyard poultry and piggery management techniques.
Besides coordinating the program, Shri Boniface Lepcha, SMS (Horticulture), KVK East Sikkim briefed about the nursery management of vegetable crops and interacted with farmers for their technical problems of low production and productivity from the farming system under organic condition.
Miss Pallabi Phukan, SMS (Agril. Extension), explained the importance of SHG for the upliftment and women empowerment in the village. She also detailed the various activities conducted under KVK East Sikkim.
Dr. Deepak Jhajharia, Associate Professor, Central Agricultural University, Ranipool also addressed the farmers and briefed about the use of plastic mulch for conservation of soil moisture especially during winter season. He also demonstrated the laying of plastic mulch technique through machine developed by CAU, Ranipool.
Ms. Dil Mani Rai, Panchayat President and Ms. Meena Subba Panchayat Member 27-Assam Lingzey GPU were also present during program and thanked Joint Director and team for organizing training program.
Issued by – ICAR-NOFRI, Gangtok
Joint Director ICAR-NOFRI addressing the progressive tribal farmers of Assam Lingzey GPU
Joint Director interacting with the progressive tribal farmers of Assam Lingzey GPU
Joint Director distributing input to the progressive tribal farmers of Assam Lingzey GPU
Joint Director, Scientist, SMS along with progressive tribal farmers of Assam Lingzey GPU
