Cardamom growers in North Sikkim thumb down tissue culture plants, want certified sucker nurseries instead

MANGAN, 28 July: The Panchayat and the public of Tingchim-Mangshila GPU have opposed the recent notification of the Horticulture & Cash Crops Development Department directing that new plantations of large cardamom use tissue culture plants. The people here have expressed more faith in the certified sucker nursery option offered by the Spices Board.

The meeting was held here at the Upper Mangshila rest house chaired by the Panchayat president, Padam Singh Limboo, and attended by Panchayat Secretary, Sarki Lama, vice president, Kamala Biswakarma, members Lakpa Bhutia and Dilliram Limboo and the farmers from villages in the surrounding area.
During the meeting, the farmers contended that large cardamom production in North district has revived through the Certified Sucker Nursery initiative of the Spices Board under which the Board provides seedlings, water harvesting tanks, vermicompost and also extends a subsidy grant. 
They shared that 60% of the cardamom plantations in the GPU have been revived through the certified sucker nursery initiative and that growers in the Tingchim-Mangshila GPU have been able to supply more than 1,60,000 saplings this year apart from enjoying a good harvest. 
One of the farmers, while speaking to NOW!, informed that growers have already tried the Tissue Culture plants without much success which is why they wanted to continue the Certified Sucker Nursery scheme which holds more promise.
The panchayats and farmers from Dzongu are also more keen on the Certified Sucker Nursery option, it is learnt.