ICAR Sikkim Centre upgraded to National Organic Farming Research Institute

Gangtok: ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok has been upgraded to National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI) w.e.f. 16 May 2016 under the  Division of Natural Resources Management, Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

This follows the request of Chief Minister of Sikkim Shri Pawan Chamling for the upgradation of the Research Centre during the National Conference on  Sustainable Agriculture and Welfare of the Farmers in the august presence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh in January, 2016.

 Earlier, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi had set up Research Complex at Tadong, Gangtok  on 11th October 1976 as one of the Regional Centre of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Shillong.  Many organic production technologies have been developed by the Centre and compiled in   two books. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had released   “Transforming Rural Sikkim: Year Round Organic Crop Production” edited by R. K. Avasthe, Yashoda Pradhan and Khorlo Bhutia at  the National Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Farmers Welfare   on January this year.

The first book ‘Handbook of Organic Crop Production in Sikkim’ was released by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim on August  14th  2014. Both the books were jointly published by Sikkim Organic Mission, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok, and ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok. (PIB)