ICAR-NOFRI Organized Training Program On Organic Crop Production For Horticulture Functionaries
ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI), Tadong organized two-day ‘Training Program for Horticulture Functionaries on Organic Crop Production’ during March 3-4, 2017 in order to create awareness amongst the Horticulture Development Officers, Horticulture Inspectors, Village Level Workers and Field Assistants regarding the requirements and basics of organic crop production system. A total of 29 Horticulture Functionaries from all over Sikkim participated in the training program.
Shri Khorlo Bhutia, Secretary, Horticulture & Cash Crop Development Department, Govt. of Sikkim was the Chief Guest in the valedictory function of the program on March 04, 2017. In his address, he appreciated the Joint Director and Scientists of ICAR-NOFRI for their efforts in organizing the training program for Horticulture Functionaries and need based research in organic production system. He said that with this kind of training horticulture functionaries shall be able to help the farmers at the grass root level to increase the production and productivity of organic crops in Sikkim and farmers can reap more benefits with better market prices. He also said that we have to work hard for the sustainability of organic farming in the Sikkim. He requested ICAR to organize more training programs for field functionaries in the near future to sustain the organic production system.
Earlier, Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI warmly welcomed the Chief Guest and all the dignitaries participating in the training program. He highlighted the relevance of this training in relation to climate change and its impact on agriculture and stressed that the trainees implement the improved production technology of different crops at farmer’s field for sustainable farming in the State. He also emphasized that soil is the most important factor for balanced nutrition of plants and there is need to conserve the soil for sustaining productivity.
Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) coordinated the program and welcomed all the dignitaries and briefed about the importance of training program and at the end Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) proposed the vote of thanks and also requested Chief Guest to take necessary steps for meeting the seed requirement and its procurement in buy-back mode from the farmers. Shri S.M. Kandwal (Sr. Technical Officer) moderated the program.
During the technical sessions in two-day training program, Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) discussed on the ‘organic production technology of Sikkim mandarin and kiwifruit’ and ‘organic vegetable production techniques under low cost plastic tunnels and rain shelters’; Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) talked on the ‘organic farming production standards’ and ‘organic agronomic practices of major field crops’; Dr. Matber Singh, Scientist Senior Scale (Agroforestry) detailed the ‘role of agro-forestry systems in organic farming’; Dr. N. Johnson Singh, SMS (Plant Protection), delivered on ‘organic pest and disease management in major crops of Sikkim’; Mr. Boniface Lepcha (SMS Horticulture) briefed on the ‘nursery raising techniques in organic crop production’; Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Senior Scientist (Animal Reproduction) discussed the ‘backyard poultry and goat production and their role in organic farming’; Dr. Brijesh Kumar discussed about the ‘Dairy cattle management techniques and their role in organic farming’ and Dr. P.K. Pathak, SMS (Animal Husbandry) talked on ‘Organic pig production techniques’ to the trainees. During the training program, all the members also visited the ICAR-NOFRI Research Farm and were briefed about the ongoing research and development activities. Mr. Avinash, Mr Adarsh Kumar, Ms. Sujata Rai, Ms. Rajeni Pradhan and Ms. Zangmit Lepcha assisted in organizing the program.
Issued by – ICAR-NOFRI, Gangtok
Chief Guest, Shri Khorlo Bhutia addressing the trainees Joint Director, Dr. R.K. Avasthe addressing to the trainees
Chief Guest distributing certificates to the trainees Chief Guest, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI and Scientists along with participants
