Thursday, Sep 10, 2020 13:45 [IST]
Last Update: Thursday, Sep 10, 2020 08:12 [IST]
SE Report
GANGTOK: Nine new crop varieties developed by ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute, Sikkim tailored for organic conditions, were released by the State Variety Release Committee (SVRC) of the State government on Tuesday. The nine new varieties include three varieties of maize, four varieties of rice, one of Rajmash and one of Soybean.
Speaking on the occasion, SVRC chairman and State Agriculture secretary R.C. Bhutiamentioned that the high yielding varieties released will ensure high crop productivity in farmer’s field with the objective to double farmers’ income. He also stressed on the need to strengthen organic seed production chain in the State for self sufficiency, a PIB release informs.
Horticulture principal directorPadam Subba congratulated ICAR-NOFRI for developing varieties for organic conditions of Sikkim. He also suggested for genetic improvement of local cultivars of Sikkim so as to bring local crop varieties in seed chain.
ICAR-NOFRI joint director R.K. Avasthebriefed about the continuous efforts made by team of scientists led by ChandanKapoor, scientist (Plant Breeding), at ICAR-NOFRI for development of varieties and informed that unavailability of varieties tailored for organic conditions has been a long felt problem. He informed that these varieties will not only be useful for organic farming community of Sikkim but can also be adopted by farmers of other hilly States adopting organic farming.
Agriculture additional director (Field Crops)RajenThapaexpressed satisfaction over identification of new varieties and discussed about the challenges in organic seed production and stressed on the need for quality organic seed production in the state itself. He also told that the new varieties will solve the dependency on external sources for procurement of seeds.
Discussions were also held on organic seed production in Sikkim in which a ‘Blueprint for Organic Seed Production in Sikkim’ was handed over to the State Agriculture departmentby ICAR-NOFRI, the release adds.
