GANGTOK, (PIB): ICAR Sikkim Centre, Gangtok celebrated the Field Day of ‘Sikkim Dhan-1’ rice variety funded by AICRP on Seed (Crops) at Rabitar, South Sikkim on Monday. The event was collaboratively organized by HoRC (Act.) and principal scientist Dr. Ramgopal Devadas with KVK, Namthang.
The Field Day was observed in the paddy fields of Pemba Tshering Lepcha, Dawa Tshering Lepcha, and Narayan Chettri at Rabitar.
The program aimed to evaluate the performance of 'Sikkim Dhan-1' variety at farmers' fields, showcasing its production, resistance to pests and diseases, and productivity of 5 to 5.6 t/ha (estimated) under Sikkim's organic conditions.
R.P. Thapa, director (Seeds), State Agriculture department, highlighted the medium-duration, moderately resistant rice variety's (Sikkim Dhan-1) potential for better adoption and encouraged farmers to adopt advanced sustainable organic farming practices unique to Sikkim.
During the event, Dr. R. Devadas discussed Central schemes like TSP, poultry (PSP) and Integrated Organic Farming System (IOFS) models to benefit farmers under ICAR. The ICAR team also distributed 100 kilograms of Khufri Sinduri (ICAR potato variety), seeds of cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, sweet pea, beetroot, carrots, coriander and radish to Rabitar farmers for the winter season. Approximately, 30 farmers from Rabitar actively participated in the ICAR Field Day.
The participating farmers interacted and discussed during the on-field program session and received training at other ICAR institutes. They expressed gratitude for the initiative, and evaluation trials will continue in the forthcoming years.