State initiative aims to revive large cardamom cultivation in Sikkim

BIJOY GURUNG

GANGTOK, : ‘Mero Alaichi, Mero Dhan’, a key State government initiative, to revive large cardamom cultivation in Sikkim is being undertaken by the State Science & Technology department in collaboration with leading national scientific institutions.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay had last October entrusted the Science & Technology department to revive large cardamom in Sikkim under the initiative ‘Mero Alaichi, Mero Dhan’ mission.

Yougan Tamang, the Chief Minister’s press secretary, on November 3 met Science & Technology principal secretary Sandeep Tambe and secretary DG Shrestha to assess the large cardamom revival mission and other major scientific missions of the State government.

Once the pride of Sikkim’s rural economy, the large cardamom sector has faced severe decline due to disease, climate stress and soil degradation over the years. Under the Chief Minister’s direction, the department has implemented a science driven revival plan blending biotechnology, organic farming, and farmer participation.

The Chief Minister’s vision of ‘Mero Alaichi, Mero Dhan’ reflects our deep commitment to revive Sikkim’s pride crop through science, innovation, and farmer partnership, said the press secretary.

Under the Chief Minister’s leadership, the Department of Science and Technology has implemented a biotechnology-driven revival programme developing disease-tolerant and high-yielding cultivars, promoting organic and sustainable farming, and restoring soil health, said Yougan.

In collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, the Science & Technology department has designed a three-tier strategy that includes field trials of disease tolerant and high yielding cultivars, development of bio control solutions suitable for organic farming, and genetic improvement through advanced breeding and molecular biotechnology.

Supported by an allocation of substantive funds, this programme marks a major turning point for agricultural biotechnology in the Himalayan region and reinforces Sikkim’s position as a national leader in sustainable, science based crop revival, said the press secretary.

These scientific interventions will not only rejuvenate our traditional cardamom farms but also enhance farmers’ income, strengthen rural livelihoods, and contribute significantly to Sikkim’s green economy, added Yougan.

Large cardamom, a native, high-value, niche cash crop and cultural heritage of Sikkim, has been a vital source of livelihood for farmers. It is the third most valuable spice in the world after saffron and vanilla, with a forecasted market size of USD 289 million or INR 2500 crore in 2033.

Sikkim’s legendary large cardamom, once known for its long life and rich harvests, this iconic crop has seen its lifespan fall from 30 years to just 5-6, due to several factors such as disease outbreaks, monoculture farming, soil health and others made worse by climate change. Cultivation area dropped drastically from 25,000 hectares to 12,500 hectares while annual production declined to 2500 metric tons from 5152 metric tons.