ICAR’s Efforts to Strengthen Farmers by ‘Technological Empowerment through Input Support System’

GANGTOK, 17 Apr: The ICAR Sikkim Centre organized a mega program on 16 April at Lingdong, Dzongu, North Sikkim on ‘Technological Empowerment through Input Support System’ in order to strengthen farmers’ capacity by dissemination of scientific knowledge and distribution of inputs viz.,seeds of various kharif vegetables, biopesticides, biofungicides, sprayers, plastic sheets for construction of low cost plastic tunnels, agro-shadenets and BIO NPK, etc. Additionally, a Front Line Demonstration program on ‘Leafy Vegetable Production under Low Cost Plastic Tunnels during Rainy Season’ was also organized.

A press release informs that 69 farmers from eight SHGs of Tarang, Gnon, Sangdong, Lingdong, Tingvong, Passingdang, Sangkalang, Hee-Gyathang villages of Dzongu, North Sikkim attended the program and benefitted with the various inputs distributed. Farmers also showed keen interest to learn the scientific vegetable production technologies developed by ICAR Sikkim Centre.

Inaugurating the program, Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Sikkim Centre stressed that ‘Change in Thought Process’ is must for commercial and intensive production of vegetables to bring about perceptible change in the vegetable production scenario of the region. He further emphasized that selection of crops and its bulk production is very important from marketing point of view which facilitates marketing and ensures higher returns as organic products have immense value. The Joint Director also distributed the vegetables seeds, biopesticides, biofungicides, sprayers, plastic sheets, agro-shade net, etc. to the progressive farmers of eight SHGs from the various villages of Dzongu, the release mentions.

Principal Scientist (Entomology), Dr. H. Kalita presented the overview of the program and its signficance for the region. He also discussed the pest and disease management in vegetable crops. He stressed upon the importance of regular visit and proper monitoring of farm in organic production system for better control of pathogens as ‘prevention is always better than cure’.

Senior Scientist (Horticulture), Dr. Ashish Yadav detailed the ‘Leafy Vegetable Production Techniques under Low Cost Plastic Tunnels during Rainy Season’. He highlighted that hi-tech production of vegetables with low cost technologies gives maximum benefits to the farmers and cultivation of leafy vegetables especially coriander under low cost plastic tunnels during rainy season is very profitable.

Scientist (Agronomy), Dr. Subhash Babu talked about the organic nutrient management in vegetable production system. He emphasized on significance of crop rotation with leguminous crops to avoid nutrition depletion in soil because of monocropping. He also suggested that green manuring with Sesbania rostrata (dhaincha) is also good option.    

Program Assistant, KVK Ranipool, Boniface Lepcha coordinated the event and discussed about the construction of low cost plastic tunnels and detailed the package of practices of leafy vegetables and other relevant issues related to organic vegetable production.

Deepak Rai, Tirtha Chettri and Dinisha Rai actively assisted in organizing the whole programme.