ATMA organises training for Cymbidium growers from Dzongu

GANGTOK, 04 June: Officials of ATMA (under FS & AD Deptt.), North Sikkim organized an on-farm training at the Cymbidium Development Center (C.D.C), Rumtek, East Sikkim from 29-30 May, 2014. The training was organised for augmentation of technical knowledge of the beneficiaries of Cymbidium clones (Plants) distributed by State Horticulture Department, informs a press release.
Altogether, 60 farmers (20 from Lingthem-Lingdem and 30 from Hee-Gyathang GPUs) along with the BTMs of Mangan and Kabi were escorted by Deputy Project Director, ATMA North, Tsering Norbu Bhutia.
The programme had Horticulture Development Officer of CDC, Pema Choden Bhutia as a Resource Person who initially made a power point presentation about the various aspects of scientific cultivation practices of Cymbidium with emphasis on basic cultivation requirements and management of pests and diseases by using organic control measures, the release mentions.
Later in the afternoon, farmers were taken to the nearby poly-houses by the concerned officials to see the remarkable developmental activities related to Cymbidium cultivation that is being carried out at the Center under protected condition.
Apart from the theoretical knowledge, farmers were practically taught the ratio of mixing potting mixtures and planting method, wherein all the growers participated actively, it is informed.
Towards the end of the programme, Deputy Project Director proposed vote of thanks on behalf of ATMA and all the participants and also requested the Officers of CDC to guide the Cymbidium growers in near future too so that the dream of making Floriculture a lucrative venture in Dzongu, North Sikkim could be made a reality, the release adds.