Governor attends ICAR stakeholders' workshop on pre-kharif crop planning

GANGTOK,: A stakeholders’ workshop on pre-kharif crop planning cum farmers-scientist interaction was held at ICAR RC for NEHR, Sikkim Center in Tadong today.
The chief guest of the programme was Governor Om Prakash Mathur.  
The Governor, upon his arrival, visited the ICAR research farm. During the visit, the Governor and the scientists discussed the possibilities of growing crops for every season. The Governor also highlighted the importance of large cardamom and mandarin in the farm economy of Sikkim and suggested that ICAR scientists help boost production by establishing nurseries in Sikkim. 
During the visit to the animal section, the Governor praised the work done by ICAR on poultry, goatery, piggery, and dairy units. He suggested introducing and popularising the ‘Tharparker’ breed of cattle in Sikkim from western India, which may acclimatise well in Sikkim's conditions. He also pointed out the role of piggery in boosting Sikkim's farmers' income. This was followed by the planting of a sapling in the ICAR farm premises by the Governor. He emphasised the need to introduce mixed cropping, intercropping, and multitier cropping in Sikkim.
The Governor also inaugurated the exhibition stalls where local farmers from all districts of Sikkim displayed their farm produce, including millets, fresh fruits, vegetables, and processed products. Farm implements, including mini power tillers, paddy threshers, electric generators, and grass cutters, were distributed under the TSP project by ICAR to a group of beneficiaries through the Governor. He praised the efforts of ICAR and the farmers for producing millets and practising organic farming.
Following this, the Governor and other dignitaries interacted with the scientists, farmers and other government officials at the ICAR conference hall. Dr Ashok Kumar, head, ICAR, Tadong, gave a brief presentation on the achievements of ICAR and the scope and challenges of agriculture in Sikkim. During the interaction with farmers, they raised issues related to wild animals, pests, and diseases affecting Sikkim mandarin and Dalle Khorsani, marketing challenges, and problems with ants in vegetables. The scientists addressed all the queries raised by the farmers.
Mathur praised Sikkim farmers for being fortunate to have ICAR along with the formation of the state. He linked Sikkim farmers' identity with turmeric and large cardamom production. He emphasised the benefits of ICAR technologies, such as low-cost poly tunnel technology for year-round vegetable production. He mentioned that FPOs should take the lead role in marketing organic produce.
He showed interest in setting up private nurseries to produce planting materials on a large scale in Sikkim through public-private partnerships and assured funding assistance from Lok Bhawan. He instructed KVKs to post advisory videos on social media to disseminate useful information widely across the state. He advised farmers to become self-sustainable and generate more income using advanced ICAR technologies.
He commended ICAR's efforts in working with limited resources and manpower to demonstrate scientific farming technologies.
Gangtok DC Tushar Nikhare, who was present as the guest of honour, emphasised scaling up ICAR's demonstration programme with government funding support in his address. He requested KVKs to conduct radio interaction programmes and use social media platforms to interact with local farmers and operate a helpline number for farmers. He highlighted the "Swayam" scheme for branding products to ensure assured returns.