Reviving Sikkim’s Legacy

Sikkim’s large cardamom—once the pride of its hillsides and the pillar of rural livelihoods—is finally receiving long-overdue national attention. The Department of Biotechnology’s ?8.06 crore project to revive this heritage crop marks a significant step forward. With top-tier research institutions like ICGEB, NIPGR, IBSD, NABI, and NCBS joining hands under the BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment), the mission promises to blend cutting-edge science with cultural preservation. Aligned with the State Government’s flagship “Mero Alaichi, Mero Dhan” initiative, it seeks to restore the vitality of a crop that sustains nearly 20,000 families across Sikkim’s villages.

Yet, beneath this optimism lies a sobering reality. The fact that a crop so central to Sikkim’s economy and identity had to collapse before attracting national attention exposes a chronic neglect of agricultural resilience. Once known for its 20- to 30-year productive lifespan, large cardamom now barely survives five. The reasons—disease outbreaks like Chirkey and Foorkey, soil degradation, genetic exhaustion, and erratic climate patterns—reflect not just biological decay but systemic policy apathy.

The new project’s reliance on biotechnology—through protein- and peptide-based antifungal agents, RNA-based viral tools, and microbial probiotics—offers promise, particularly since these are compatible with Sikkim’s 100% organic ethos. However, no amount of scientific sophistication can substitute for participatory reform. If farmers remain passive recipients of “lab-driven” solutions, the initiative risks becoming another top-heavy, short-lived experiment. Reviving cardamom is not just a question of plant health—it’s about restoring trust, livelihoods, and autonomy in the hills.

The state must therefore expand the mission’s focus beyond biotechnology. Farmer-led seed banks, mixed-cropping systems, and agroforestry-based models can strengthen ecological resilience and diversify incomes. Equally vital is a robust extension network to ensure that new technologies translate into field-level impact. The participation of Sikkim University in prioritizing cardamom research is a welcome move, but the glaring lack of incentives to retain youth in agriculture remains a serious concern. Without the next generation taking ownership, “Mero Alaichi, Mero Dhan” will remain a nostalgic slogan rather than a sustainable revival.

Sikkim’s large cardamom revival should not be seen merely as an agricultural experiment—it is a test of how science, policy, and people can work together to restore a cultural and economic legacy. For this mission to truly succeed, it must grow beyond laboratories and policy papers, rooting itself once again in the fertile imagination and resilience of Sikkim’s farmers. Only then can Sikkim’s famed “black gold” regain its lost glory—and with it, the dignity of those who cultivate it.