Empowerment of North Sikkim Tribal Farmers Through ICAR-NOFRI Technologies North Sikkim
ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim is playing a pivotal role in strengthening the tribal farmers of Sikkim and has been dedicated for improving their livelihood and economic conditions by disseminating scientific knowledge through field demonstrations of agriculture, horticulture and animal production technologies in the integrated manner. In order to further strengthen the high altitude animal husbandry cum agri-horti production system of North Sikkim, ICAR-NOFRI organized three-day practical training program for the tribal farmers of North Sikkim covering Chungthang, Rabom, Lachen and Thangu villages of North Sikkim during May 8-10, 2017 under TSP, MIDH and NMSHE project. A total of 48 farmers participated in the program to benefit from the ICAR technologies and inputs distributed viz., weaned piglets, essential veterinary medicines and feed supplements, plastics for low cost tunnels, untreated seeds, biopesticides, biofungicides, mushroom spawn and mushroom bags. Besides, 10 model deep litter housing were also constructed at farmer’s field earlier.
In the opening remarks of training program, Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong, Gangtok stressed the farmers to adopt agri-horti production techniques. Further, he also highlighted the importance of animal husbandry with special emphasis on deep litter housing system, and the farmers were encouraged to tap the opportunities prevailing the area like heavy deployment of armed forces and rising tourism as potential markets. The farmers were suggested to promote indigenous food amongst tourists and locals. Adoption of the integrated farming system on community basis to meet the demand locally and subsequently for livelihood improvement was also proposed.
Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) emphasized on round the year vegetable production under low cost plastic tunnels to boost the horticultural production as the prevailing climatic conditions are conducive for diverse horticultural production. Further, he also demonstrated the low cost tunnel technology under field conditions at Rabom and Lachen, North Sikkim.
Dr. P.K Pathak, SMS (Animal Science), ICAR-KVK, East Sikkim briefed about the advantages of scientific pig rearing in low cost pig house under deep litter system, which was designed and developed with locally available natural resources for high rainfall, mid and high altitude area in ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong. Further, he emphasized that low cost locally available tuber and tender edible vegetation for feeding pigs will reduce cost of production.
Dr. Brijesh Kumar, Scientist (Animal Reproduction) elaborated about the feeding and disease management of high altitude livestock especially yak, Tibetan sheep, local hill cattle and pig for better production and productivity. He also discussed about the dairy and backyard poultry production technologies on community basis to enhance the production for better income generation. He also highlighted the importance of livestock manure on cole crops and potato production at high altitudes.
Dr. Sonam Dicki Lepcha, Veterinary Officer, AHLF&VS, Govt. of Sikkim, North Sikkim helped in successful implementation of the piggery project in North Sikkim. In her address, she explained the existing pig rearing system among the tribal community in North Sikkim and encouraged the farmers to adopt the pig farming for improvement of their livelihood.
Dr. Chandramani Raj and Dr. Shweta Singh, Scientists (Plant Pathology) emphasized on the integrated management of diseases by using healthy resistant seeds, clean cultivation practices and biological control for vegetables production and the role of pig and poultry manure in enhancing the plant health to combat any form of biotic and abiotic stress. In addition, Dr. Shweta Singh also encouraged the farmers to undertake mushroom cultivation in high altitudes and explained the nutritional and economic benefits of mushroom cultivation.
At Thangu, North Sikkim, the ICAR-NOFRI team interacted with the potato growers and suggested the scientific potato growing techniques for better production.
Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI addressing the tribal farmers at Theng, Chungthang, North Sikkim
Joint Director distributing weaned piglets to the tribal farmers at Theng, Chungthang, North Sikkim
Field demonstration of construction of low cost plastic tunnels at Lachen, North Sikkim
Joint Director, distributing inputs to the tribal farmers at Lachen, North Sikkim
