ICAR-NOFRI Organized Training Program for Sensitization of ATMA Functionaries on Organic Crop Production

Shri Khorlo Bhutia, Secretary, Horticulture & Cash Crop Development Department, Govt. of Sikkim was the Chief Guest in valedictory function of the program on July 16, 2016. In his address, he appreciated the efforts of Joint Director and Scientists of ICAR-NOFRI for organizing the training program for ATMA functionaries and undertaking need based research in organic production systems. He briefed about the recently launched Mission on Organic Value Chain Development (MOVCD) for North Eastern Region and said that this mission shall be useful in increasing the productivity of organic crops in Sikkim and help farmers reap more benefits with better market prices. He also said that we have to work hard for the sustainability of organic farming in the Sikkim state. He requested ICAR to organize more training programs on organic nutrient management, disease and pest management in the near future, which are becoming major problem in organic production system. 

Shri P.T. Bhutia, Principal Director, Horticulture & Cash Crop Development Department, Govt. of Sikkim inaugurated the training on July 14, 2016. In his inaugural address, he had appreciated the Joint Director and Scientists of ICAR-NOFRI for their efforts in undertaking the training program for ATMA functionaries and location specific research in organic production systems. He also released the ‘Training Manual on Organic Crop Production in Sikkim’.

Mrs. S.L. Dorjee, Director, SAMETI, Food Security and Agriculture Development Department, Govt. of Sikkim, in her address thanked ICAR for organizing customized training program for ATMA functionaries. She said that for quick transfer of technologies from lab to land these training programs are very essential and it is a good opportunity for State officials to get equipped with latest technologies.

Earlier, Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI warmly welcomed the Chief Guests and all the dignitaries participating in the training program. He highlighted the relevance of this training in relation to climate change and its impact on agriculture. He also mentioned some major issues to be faced in changing climatic conditions viz., rising extreme rainfall events and decreasing number of rainy days in the state which is disturbing the whole ecology of the system. He emphasized that soil is the most important factor for balanced nutrition of plants and there is need to conserve the soil for sustaining productivity.

During the technical sessions in three-day training program, Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director detailed the ‘physico-chemical and microbiological properties of soil, and organic nutrient management’. Dr. H. Kalita, Principal Scientist (Entomology), delivered lecture on ‘organic pest management in major crops of Sikkim’ and ‘vermi-compost production technology’; Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) discussed the ‘organic production technology of Sikkim mandarin and kiwifruit’ and ‘quality organic vegetable production techniques’; Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) talked on the ‘organic farming production standards’ and ‘organic agronomic practices of major field crops’; Dr. R. Gopi, Scientist (Plant Pathology) detailed on ‘organic pest management in major crops of Sikkim’; Dr. Matber Singh, Scientist (Agroforestry) detailed on ‘role of agro-forestry systems in organic farming’; Shri Shaon K. Das, Scientist (Soil Science) talked on the ‘organic nutrient sources and soil sample collection techniques’; 

Mr. Boniface Lepcha (SMS Horticulture) briefed on the ‘nursery raising techniques in organic crop production’ and Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Senior Scientist (Animal Reproduction) discussed on ‘livestock production and their role in organic farming’; to the trainees. During the training program, all the members also visited the ICAR-NOFRI Research Farm to get firsthand experience of the technologies on display through research experiments and were briefed about the ongoing research and development activities.

In the beginning of the training, Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture), welcomed all the dignitaries and briefed about the training program and at the end Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) proposed the vote of thanks. Shri S.M. Kandwal, Technical Officer, moderated the program. (PIB)