GANGTOK, :Pemkit Lepcha from Gor in Lower Dzonguhas won the ‘ICAR-IARI Innovative Farmer Award 2025’ for ‘Integrated Organic Farming System’ (IOFS) Model & Entrepreneurship Development.
The award was presented to her
on February 24 at Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela 2025 by ICAR director general and
DARE secretary Dr. Himanshu Pathakand IARI director Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao.
Pemkit Lepcha initiated her
organic farming venture by integrating traditional Lepcha knowledge with modern
farming techniques to optimize agro-ecosystem productivity. Since December
2021, she has collaborated with ICAR NEH Sikkim Centre, Tadong under the Tribal
Sub Plan (TSP), jointly implemented by the State Horticulture department,
informs a PIB release.
Lepcha focused extensively on
diverse organic paddy cultivation, along with germplasm conservation of diverse
crop species. Additionally, she took community initiatives to establish a
village-level water supply network in the Gor-Taryong region, with active
support from TSP. She consolidated the output of her fellow farmers and secured
market channels by starting the ‘Eden Garden’ brand.
Through diversified organic
farming and off-season vegetable cultivation, Lepcha secured higher
profitability for her group members. Her community farming efforts motivated
the young generation to engage actively in Sikkim’s organic farming venture,
ensuring future farming prosperity
Lepcha thanked Dr. V.K. Mishra,
director, ICAR RC NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya; Dr. S. Hazarikia, nodal
officer, TSP-HQ; Dr. R. Devadas, principal scientist and HoRC (Act.) ICAR NEH
Sikkim; Dr. Saurav Saha, and his team, including all scientists from ICAR
Sikkim Centre and officials from the State Horticulture department for their
active support and guidance.
