ICAR-NOFRI Empowered Tribal Farmers of West Sikkim
The ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI), Tadong organized ‘Training-cum-Awareness Program on Organic Crop Production’ for progressive tribal farmers of Lingchom, Tikjek, West Sikkim during March 24-25, 2017 under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH-Vegetable) project in order to increase awareness and strengthen the progressive tribal farmers on organic crop production by dissemination of scientific knowledge along with input support under the leadership of Dr. R. K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI. During the two-day program, a total of 133 farmers representing different Self Help Groups (SHGs) attended the program and benefited with the technical know-how and various inputs distributed viz., organically permitted bio-pesticides, bio-fungicides, bio-fertilizers, untreated seeds, and plastic sheets for low cost plastic tunnels and shelters. Power point presentations were delivered to the farmers on scientific crop production technologies developed by ICAR-NOFRI for quick and easy learning of the techniques and farmers showed keen interest and appreciated the ICAR efforts.
Initiating the program, Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) welcomed all the farmers and briefed about ICAR-NOFRI role in developing technologies for organic production systems. He also detailed the organic production techniques of major vegetable crops of Sikkim. He discussed about the intensive vegetable production techniques under low cost plastic tunnel and plastic rain shelters and organic Sikkim mandarin and kiwifruit production techniques.
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.
Dr. N. J. Singh, SMS (Plant Protection) discussed the organic pest and disease management in major field and horticultural crops of Sikkim. He stressed upon the importance of good agricultural practices to minimize pest incidence and that regular monitoring of farm is important for better management of insects and pathogens.
Mr. Boniface Lepcha, SMS (Horticulture), KVK Ranipool, moderated the event and shared the information on vegetable nursery raising techniques of Cole crops, tomato, large cardamom and capsicum. Farmers were also trained with skill development through quality vegetable nursery raising technology, which shall improve the livelihood of the farmers.
Dr. P.K. Pathak, SMS (Animal Science) interacted with the farmers and discussed the poultry, piggery, goatry and dairy management techniques for improving production and productivity.
Miss Pallabi Phukan, SMS (Agril. Extension), explained the importance of SHG for the upliftment and wom en empowerment in the village. She also detailed the various activities conducted under KVK East Sikkim.
During the program, Dr. Ashish Yadav, Shri Boniface Lepcha and Dr. N.J. Singh practically demonstrated the construction of low cost plastic tunnels and mushroom production techniques to the farmers at field. Shri Phul Man Limboo, Secretary and Ms. Tigenzengha Limboo, Member, 15-Lingchom, Tikjek GPU, West Sikkim appreciated and thanked whole-heartedly for the efforts of ICAR-NOFRI for empowering the rural farmers through improved production technologies of different crops with critical input support system.
Issued by ICAR-NOFRI
