Special Central support for cherry pepper, avocado & kiwi cultivation in Sikkim

KUNAL RAI

GANGTOK,: Sikkim's iconic cherry pepper, locally known as Dalley Khorsani, is set to receive further support from the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. This development follows Chief Minister PS Golay's recent discussions with Union Agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Speaking to SIKKIM EXPRESS, principal director-cum-mission director of the Horticulture department, BL Dahal, said that the Ministry has agreed to extend assistance to three major horticultural crops of the State—cherry pepper, avocado, and kiwi—under a special project.

“This special project is the result of the Chief Minister’s appeal to the Union Minister, and we are glad to announce support for crops that hold both economic and export potential,” said Dahal.

He informed that over 20,000 families in Sikkim are currently engaged in cherry pepper cultivation, and in 2024, the crop was successfully exported for the first time.

“Until now, we were primarily providing mulching plastic to farmers, which helps prevent soil erosion, retains manure, and inhibits weed growth. This year, the number of farmers and saplings has increased significantly. Our aim is to boost cherry pepper production and ensure sustainable income for growers,” said Dahal.

To further support value addition, the department has started distributing solar dryers to larger farmers, self-help groups (SHGs), and farmer producer organizations (FPOs), enabling small-scale farmers to dry their produce efficiently. “Last year’s export was mostly dried cherry pepper, and we expect this year’s volume to increase due to more plantations and participating farmers,” he added.

Previously, the State’s cherry pepper was mainly procured by the Government Fruit Preservation Factory (GFPF), Singtam, SIMFED, and MEVEDIR.

In addition, the department plans to promote multi-cropping by integrating cherry pepper with carrot cultivation. “With government support, we aim to expand carrot cultivation. Carrots have a shelf life of nearly a month and high demand. For instance, a cluster at Tarey Bhir earned around Rs. 1.60 lakh last year from carrot sales. This year, we plan to develop 10 new clusters in the next 2–3 years,” Dahal stated.

On avocado farming, the Horticulture principal director revealed that the department intends to introduce the popular ‘Hass’ variety. “We will bring in mother plants from outside the State and establish a departmental nursery for quality planting material. We are also planning a buy-back agreement with the supplying company to ensure market linkage.”

“Avocado is in high demand both domestically and internationally. With Sikkim’s organic tag, we believe this crop will bring significant market benefits to local farmers,” he said.

Under the same special project, the Government of India is also supporting kiwi farming, which is currently being practiced on a limited scale despite high market demand. Until now, GFPF Singtam and SIMFED have handled its marketing, but a new tie-up with Reliance Retail is expected to begin this year.

We are confident that this tie-up will provide a much larger market for Sikkim's Kiwi growers, Dahal said.

He also informed that the Centre has allocated Rs. 10 crore for establishing a Centre of Excellence Nursery for Kiwi. “This facility will include a demonstration farm and focus on the production of quality seedlings. We have also approached the state government for corpus funding to operate the nursery for a few initial years, after which it will be self-sustainable.”

Currently, more than 1,000 farmers in Sikkim are involved in kiwi farming, each earning between Rs 1–2 lakh annually.

Both avocado and kiwi are mid-altitude crops, and there are many suitable areas in Sikkim for their cultivation. “We can even bring barren land under cultivation, as avocado farming requires relatively low maintenance,” Dahal added.

Looking ahead, the Horticulture department also plans to introduce a modern soil testing device to monitor major and micro-nutrient levels in the soil. “Soil health is crucial for any cultivation. This device will help identify nutrient deficiencies, enabling farmers to take corrective steps and improve productivity and crop quality,” said Dahal.