An awareness cum training programme on reclamation of acidic soil, and Distribution of inputs under Soil Health and Fertility scheme organised by Agriculture Department

Namchi, February 22(IPR): An awareness cum training programme on reclamation of acidic soil, and Distribution of inputs under Soil Health and Fertility scheme organised by Agriculture Department, Government of Sikkim was held at Perbing under Namchi District, today.
The programme was graced by Mr Jigmee Dorjee Bhutia Secretary (Agriculture) as the chief guest.
The programme had the presence of Mr Jagdish Pradhan Director (Agriculture), Ms Nirmala Moktan Additional Director (Namchi), Dr Nation Rai Deputy Director, Mr Wangyal Lepcha Deputy Director, Mr Rajeev Pradhan ADO, along with other field staff of Agriculture Department, Ms Pema Sherpa Panchayat Vice-President (Perbing Dovan GPU) and progressive farmers of Perbing and adjoining areas.
Addressing the gathering, the Secretary Agriculture said that this programme is aimed to help the farmers in boosting the fertility of their land and enhancing the growth of their agricultural produce. He mentioned that the department has always remained at forefront to extend support according to their need through various initiatives and programmes. He encouraged the farmers to take the optimum benefit of this initiative so that their progress can be replicated in other farming clusters. Inaddition, he also urged to consult with the department officials for agricultural and farming businesses to help them with technical, financial and commercial matters.
Mr Jagdish Pradhan Director briefed about the scientific methods and techniques used to neutralised acidic soils. He informed that due to high acidic soils that are found in Sikkim, it is essential to have a balanced PH level which can be obtained by adding essential nutrients for healthy growth of plant. He recommended the farmer to make use of Austin lime of 60 to 80 kg per acre, that can last upto three months. Various other additional macro and micro nutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Zinc, Magnesium, etc will be distributed by the department to the farmers, he added. Further, he also requested the field functionaries to timely update their database for determining actual deficiency in soil. Moreover, he also elucidated on the scope of regulated market for organic growers which is proposed by the State Government.
Ms Nirmala Moktan Additional Director, talked about the sustainable farming practices and the growth of farming practices in the community of Perbing area. She said that due to constant touch with the department, the whole farming community of Perbing has pioneered in the latest farming techniques and methods. She stated that this region’s farmers are now the largest contributors of organic vegetables with the improved marketing facility and contract farming. She further appraised that the region has also sustained to produce non-seasonal vegetable with the assistance of the agricultural tools provided by the department. In addition, she also requested the farmers to practice crop rotation in their field to improve water use efficiency and enhance soil structure capacity.
Ms Pema Sherpa Panchayat extended her gratitude to the department for providing farming inputs and various other facilities to the beneficiaries in the GPU.
During the programme, Mr Tashi Sherpa, a Progressive Farmer along with other farmers of the area also shared challenges faced by them wherein their problems were addressed by the officials of the department.
This programme saw the distribution of Austin Lime to a total of 100 beneficiaries of the Perbing Dovan GPU.
Later, the team led by Secretary Agriculture also visited various agricultural fields of progressive farmers in the region. Wherein, the team inspected the implementation of the Central and State Government sponsored schemes for farmers.