KVK ICAR stresses on production of pulses and oilseeds in East Sikkim
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR Sikkim Centre, Ranipool, East Sikkim organized a day long training cum input distribution program on Rabi pulses and oilseeds under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) with an objective to increase the area and production of pulses and oilseeds. Generally, pulses and oilseeds productivity in the state is low than the national average. The objective of the programme was to provide the improved varieties along with organic package of practices for productivity enhancement in a sustainable manner in the state. The program also stressed for enhancing farm level economy to restore confidence amongst the farmers in the region. The programme was held on November 24, 2015 at Thuthang, Ward No 4 of Amba 23 GPU of East Sikkim. A total of 48 progressive farmers from Amba GPU participated in the program. The farmers benefited with input support of untreated seeds of field pea, garden pea, lentil and yellow sarson along with the bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers. The program was also attended by Sh. Phurba Lepcha, Panchayat President, Sh. Nirmal Adhikari, Panchayat Secretary and Smt. Meena Chettri, Panchayat Vice President of Amba 23 GPU.
The program was chaired by Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre. He stressed upon the scientific production of oil seeds and pulses for nutritional security to the rural poor. He highlighted the importance of pulses in human diet and correlated it with present market price. He urged the farmers to be self dependent in organic seeds through its multiplication for timely sowing/planting in the next season. He also made them aware of the importance of soil fertility status and their management by growing the pulses in the cropping system. He further encouraged the farmers towards establishing the sources of organic inputs within the farm to reduce dependence on outside inputs.
Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Sr. Scientist (Agronomy) and Programme Coordinator (I/c) welcomed the gathering and highlighted the objectives of programme and briefed about the scientific cultivation of field pea in rice fallow. He also discussed the importance of pulses in cereal based cropping system especially for soil fertility improvements. He stressed to utilize their farm land by sowing of vegetable pea and/ or lentil under no till condition after rice harvest which they kept fallow during winter season. By adopting the no till sowing of rabi pulses the cropping intensity would increase up to at least 200 per cent for livelihood security of the farming community.
Dr. H. Kalita, Principal Scientist (Entomology) discussed about the insect pests management through Integrated Pests Management under organic condition. He encouraged the farmers to opt for preventive measures of insects pest management especially under organic farming system. On the other hand, Mr. Boniface Lepcha, Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture) briefed about the cultivation practices of vegetable pea and year round vegetable cultivation in Sikkim and also described the newly developed technologies suited to small and marginal farmers in vegetable cultivation. Dr. J.K. Singh, SMS (Plant Breeding) coordinated the program and interacted with the farmers for production of quality seeds of pulses and oilseed crops and retain them for becoming self-dependent for cultivation.
Panchayat President, Sh. Phurba Lepcha showed his contentment towards ICAR Sikkim Centre for continuous support for the upliftment of livelihood of resource poor farmers and also urged the farmers to adopt the technologies developed by ICAR for enhancing the production and productivity of various pulses and oilseeds in the region.
Later on practical field demonstration for cultivation of field pea and garden pea under no-tillage system was demonstrated by KVK experts during the program.
The program ended with vote of thanks proposed by Sh. Milan Adhikari, Panchayat Secretary.
Demonstration on no–till lentil/vegetable pea to the progressive farmers of Amba village
