TRAINING ON SCIENTIFIC METHODS OF GINGER CULTIVATION

TRAINING ON SCIENTIFIC METHODS OF GINGER CULTIVATION

A training program was organized by Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology in collaboration with Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Sikkim Centre, Tadong on agro-techniques of scientific ginger cultivation on 12^th March 2010 and total of 12 progressive farmers from Lower Sumin Lingzey (BAC, Duga) participated in the training. The program was inaugurated by Shri M. L. Arrawatia, IFS, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of Sikkim. The program was also attended by Joint Director, ICAR, Dr. H. Rehman, Senior Scientific Officer cum Principal Investigator, Shri B. C. Basistha , Co-Principal Investigator, Shri K. B. Subba, officials, scientists of ICAR and DST.

The training program is a part of project “DBT’s Mission for the production of Quality Planting Material and Utilization for the North East” funded by Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India and is partly a research based project. The project aims at the production and demonstration of quality planting material in the farmers’ field in pilot scale basis duly adopting the scientific methods of cultivation. The project covers production and demonstration of quality seedlings of three cash crops of Sikkim viz. ginger, large cardamom and Sikkim mandarin.

Fig. Distributing the Ginger seeds to the farmers Secretary Shri. M.L. Arrawatia,IFS, Sikkim State Council of Science & Technolgy.

Fig. Secretary Shri. M.L. Arrawatia,IFS along with Joint Director,ICAR during Inaugural session.

Fig. Shri. B.C. Basistha, Principal Investigator delivering the Welcome note.

The Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, while addressing the gathering, urged the farmers to strictly follow the instructions given by the scientist during the training and observe the differences in production both in terms of quality and quantity. He also requested them to not to mingle the quality rhizome provided to them with the local rhizome. Dr. H. Rahman, Joint Director, ICAR also addressed the gathering and highlighted the programs undertaken by them for the benefits of this region.

The inaugural session of the training program was followed by technical session. The technical session began with expert views and hands on training by Dr. Ashok Kumar, Sr. Scientist, ICAR. He emphasized mainly on proper selection of seed (rhizome), seed treatment, field preparation, plantation technique, proper drainage system, and disease control methods. He also expressed that the production of Ginger has declined significantly at present which may be due to the out break of diseases and unscientific maintenance of the farm. Shri B. C. Basistha, Principal Investigator of the project appealed to all the farmers to learn from the scientists who had gained knowledge and expertise through several years of research in Ginger. He urged the farmers to take the benefits provided by government and help themselves to uplift their socio-economic conditions.

On completion of the training, the 12 farmers were provided with one quintal each quality rhizome produced by the farmers who has adopted the same methods. With this method the farmers can produce healthy, disease free rhizomes and increase the production up to eight folds.