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Sikkim being a hilly region, farmers in Sikkim
has developed their own method of cultivation which suits their
needs - subsistence farming like rain fed agriculture,
mixed farming, integration of agriculture and horticulture and
cultivation of traditional crops like maize, millet, paddy,
buckwheat, barley, mustard, etc in agriculture.
Cultivation in Sikkim in however faces several problems which
limits the scope of agriculture in Sikkim to a great extent.
Firstly, Sikkim is a tiny state and most of the regions are hilly
and at high altitudes, unfit for cultivation. Whatever land is
left for cultivation is besieged by variable agro-climatic
conditions, difficult terrain, steep slope, acidic soil and
prolonged dry spell. To boost agriculture, Sikkim can either
increase area under cultivation or increase productivity per unit
area. The first one is not feasible because not only of the
difficult terrain but also the forests are well protected by the
government. The government does not allow any deforestation for
the sake of agriculture or for any other forests. So, Sikkim is
left to opt for the last option i.e. increase productivity per
unit area. Increasing productivity per unit
area:
The State is trying out new schemes to
achieve their goal and reaching out to the farmers all over the
state. They are being informed and trained about new technologies,
new developments and making them open to new ideas. The State is
implementing the programs like Integrated Cereals Development
Program, National Oilseeds Production Program, National Pulse
Development Program, Fertilizer Demonstration Program, National
Watershed Development Program for Rain fed Area. Integrated Pest
Management. Integrated Nutrient Management and so on have
significantly contributed for the enhancement of production and
productivity and also gearing up dissemination of scientific and
improved farm technology to the grassroots level of the farming
community in the State.
New Crops:
Apart from
traditional crops, there is great potential in Sikkim in the
production of Rabi crops like wheat, barley, rape and mustard.
Also the state is increasingly making efforts to promote the
production of cereals, pulses and oilseeds. Not lagging behind its
counterparts in the rest of the country, Sikkim is promoting
cultivation coverage under improved and high yielding varieties by
way of increasing area under double and multiple cropping.
Changed face of agriculture in Sikkim:
1.The agriculture sector has been revamped like never before. It
has been beefed up so that there is smooth transfer of technology
for the sake of providing progressive demonstration, regular
training to farmers and systematic health cover. All these
revolutionary steps have been taken by the state keeping in view
of the importance of agriculture to the state. For the state, it
is crucial to increase irrigated land and upgrade farm
mechanization. 2. Bench terracing and
other method of soil and water conservation have been proved to be
more effective means of conservation in the hills. The State is
implementing soil and water conservation through arable and
non-arable land treatment on watershed basis. Besides rain water
harvesting program is being implemented to collect roof water and
rain water to overcome dry spell of Rabi season.
3. Now, the officers of the department are being imparted training
in various specialized subjects in National Institutes to provide
technical know-how under the provisions of Human Resource
Development. special emphasis has been given to train the farmers
before implementation of any program in the field.
4. Newly initiated Centrally Sponsored Schemes through
Macro-Management mode has been initiated to innovate more
strengthening infrastructures and developmental programs of the
Department. |
