State mission to revive large cardamom cultivation gains momentum

BIJOY GURUNG

Field trials of disease-tolerant cardamom crossbreeds being developed in 12 farmers’ fields show encouraging results

GANGTOK,: The State government's flagship 'MeroAlaichi, MeroDhan' mission to revive large cardamom cultivation in Sikkim has achieved significant progress, with 12 farmers' field laboratories now working on the development of new disease-tolerant cardamom crossbreeds.

Field trials of improved disease-tolerant varieties such as Hario and Pakhey at more than 40 locations across the State have shown encouraging results, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay informed the recent Budget Session of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.

Cultivation of large cardamom - a premier cash crop of Sikkim for generations -  have dwindled down drastically over the decades due to disease, declining productivity, soil degradation and the effects of climate change. This has resulted in substantialincome losses for nearly 20,000 farming families of Sikkim, especially in western and northern regions of the State.

Field trials of improved disease tolerant varieties have shown encouraging results

To address this challenge, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay in October 2024 launched ‘MeroAlaichi, MeroDhan’ (My Cardamom, My Wealth) mission with the objective of restoringthe vitality of the large cardamom through science-based interventions, farmer participation, and technical collaboration with leading agro-science institutions of the nation.

In his 2026-27 Budget speech, the Chief Minister informed the Sikkim Legislative Assembly that “significant progress has already been achieved” in this large cardamom revival mission led by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of Sikkim.

A collaborative research project involving leading nationalresearch institutions,including International Centre forGenetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), NationalInstitute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), NationalCentre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), National Agri-FoodBiotechnology Institute (NABI) and Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) hasbeen sanctioned by the Government of India.

He informed that 12 KrishakAlaichiPrayogshalas (Farmer FieldLaboratories) have been established across the State todevelop new cardamom crossbreeds.

“Field trials ofimproved disease tolerant varieties such as Hario andPakhey at over 40 locations have shown encouragingresults. Through this initiative, we seek to restore farmerprosperity, revive a cherished cultural legacy and reaffirmSikkim’s position as a global leader in premium large cardamom production,” said the Chief Minister.

To facilitate natural evolution, twelve Field Laboratories have been established across diverse agro-climatic zones of Sikkim, comprising 10 farmer field laboratories and 2 institutional field laboratories frequently monitored by scientists and technical person of DST.

The farmer field laboratories are located at Tarkharka (South Regu), Pasting, Dalapchand, Rorathang, Basilakha, Assam Lingzey, Rumtek, Ranka, Mangshila, and Dzongu, while the two institutional field laboratories have been established at the State Biotechnology Research and Application Centre (Department of Science and Technology Farm), Sajong, and the Nazitam Horticulture Farm.

These sites utilize eight diverse large cardamom cultivars - Varlangey, Seremna, Sawney, DzonguGolsey, Green Golsey, Pakhey, Hario, and Ramsey - to promote natural cross-pollination, informed the DST.

Established in 2025 with financial support from SPMCIL, Government of India, the programme has already produced putative hybrid seeds through natural cross-pollination, many of which have successfully germinated. With more cultivars flowering simultaneously during the current season, scientists expect substantially higher seed set and the emergence of new breeding lines possessing improved yield potential, enhanced disease tolerance, and greater resilience to climate change, said the department.

Breakthrough in Disease Management

The Department of Science & Technology has also achieved a significant breakthrough in disease management through an innovative application of an organically permitted fungicide at the appropriate time and region. Field studies have demonstrated a three- to four-fold increase in new tiller production compared to untreated plants.

Scientists observed that fungal disease pressure suppresses the emergence of new tillers, leading to premature plant mortality within 3-5 years. By stimulating healthy tiller production, the new technology is expected to substantially enhance plant longevity and plantation productivity.

Promotion of Naturally Evolved Disease-Tolerant Cultivars

The department has identified two naturally evolved large cardamom cultivars -Hario and Pakhey - that have demonstrated encouraging tolerance to major fungal diseases and certain viral infections while exhibiting a productive lifespan of more than 15 years.

Following successful evaluation at over 40 locations during 2025, these cultivars are now being promoted on a larger scale under a NABARD-funded project. A total of 17 farmer nurseries have been established for multiplication and expanded field evaluation across suitable agro-climatic zones of the State.

To strengthen long-term research and varietal improvement, the department has established a germplasm repository containing more than 14 large cardamom cultivars at its 5-acre State Biotechnology Research and Application Centre, Sajong.

Earlier during the mission, a comprehensivesurvey covering over 21,000 households and extensivescientific studies have helped identify the key factorsresponsible for the decline including fungal and viraldiseases, genetic erosion caused by prolonged clonalpropagation, soil degradation, and climate change.The productive lifespan of the large cardamom in Sikkim has consequently reduced from about 20-25 years to merely 3–5 years, severely affecting productivity and farmers' income.

Based on these findings, a three-tier strategy hasbeen adopted. Immediate measures focus on promotingdisease-tolerant varieties and improved cultivation practices.

Medium-term interventions include the development ofeco-friendly biological solutions to protect crops whilepreserving Sikkim’s organic status. Long-term efforts aredirected towards developing climate-resilient andhigh-yielding varieties through advanced research andbiotechnology.

The scientific and technical initiatives are being spearheaded by Dr. K. B. Subba, Scientific Officer, and Dr.SushenPradhan, Assistant Scientific Officer, Department of Science and Technology/Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology (SSCS&T), under the guidance and continued support of the Chief Minister, the Principal Secretary, and the Secretary, Department of Science and Technology.

Through these integrated scientific, technological, and farmer-centric interventions, the Government of Sikkim is laying a strong foundation for the revival and long-term sustainability of large cardamom cultivation, ensuring enhanced productivity, climate resilience, and improved livelihoods for farming communities across the State, said the department.