Press Release
Press Release From the Agriculture Department, Namchi District
Information & Public Relations Department
Namchi, 6 March : Farmers Scientists Interaction on the Management of Pests and Diseases of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops Prevalent in Sikkim was successfully organised today at the KVK Hall, Namthang, Namchi District.
The programme aimed to enhance farmers’ understanding of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies and to introduce the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) to field-level functionaries and farmers.
The event was organized by the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Namchi District in collaboration with the State Bio Control Laboratory, IPM Section of the Agriculture Department.
The main resource persons were Dr. Roshna Gazmer, Deputy Director, IPM Section, and Shri Roman Lepcha, Assistant Director, Central Integrated Pest Management Centre (CIPMC). Both experts delivered insightful presentations covering pest and disease identification, region specific outbreak trends, bio-control measures, and the importance of real-time surveillance through NPSS. They emphasised the adoption of eco-friendly pest management practices and timely reporting mechanisms to prevent large-scale infestations.
Dr. Nation Chamling, Deputy Director, Agriculture Department, Namchi District, addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of local-level coordination between scientists and farmers for sustainable pest management. Dr. I. P. Shivakoti, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK Namthang, appreciated the collaborative effort and encouraged all stakeholders to actively participate in pest surveillance and reporting activities across the district.
The programme saw enthusiastic participation from Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs), Agricultural Development Officers (ADOs), Horticultural Development Officers (HDOs), Agricultural Inspectors (AIs), field scouts, field officials and progressive farmers. The interactive session enabled a direct exchange of field-level experiences and expert solutions, embodying the spirit of participatory extension.
In addition, officials and stakeholders attended the Post Budget Webinar on “Agriculture and Rural Transformation” held on the same day, where the Hon’ble Prime Minister virtually addressed the inaugural session. The webinar featured multiple breakout sessions with at least five thematic tracks under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), focusing on emerging areas such as AI-powered Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture, promotion of agroforestry, and other initiatives aligned with the vision of sustainable and technology-driven rural transformation.
The programme aimed to enhance farmers’ understanding of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies and to introduce the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) to field-level functionaries and farmers.
The event was organized by the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Namchi District in collaboration with the State Bio Control Laboratory, IPM Section of the Agriculture Department.
The main resource persons were Dr. Roshna Gazmer, Deputy Director, IPM Section, and Shri Roman Lepcha, Assistant Director, Central Integrated Pest Management Centre (CIPMC). Both experts delivered insightful presentations covering pest and disease identification, region specific outbreak trends, bio-control measures, and the importance of real-time surveillance through NPSS. They emphasised the adoption of eco-friendly pest management practices and timely reporting mechanisms to prevent large-scale infestations.
Dr. Nation Chamling, Deputy Director, Agriculture Department, Namchi District, addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of local-level coordination between scientists and farmers for sustainable pest management. Dr. I. P. Shivakoti, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK Namthang, appreciated the collaborative effort and encouraged all stakeholders to actively participate in pest surveillance and reporting activities across the district.
The programme saw enthusiastic participation from Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs), Agricultural Development Officers (ADOs), Horticultural Development Officers (HDOs), Agricultural Inspectors (AIs), field scouts, field officials and progressive farmers. The interactive session enabled a direct exchange of field-level experiences and expert solutions, embodying the spirit of participatory extension.
In addition, officials and stakeholders attended the Post Budget Webinar on “Agriculture and Rural Transformation” held on the same day, where the Hon’ble Prime Minister virtually addressed the inaugural session. The webinar featured multiple breakout sessions with at least five thematic tracks under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), focusing on emerging areas such as AI-powered Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture, promotion of agroforestry, and other initiatives aligned with the vision of sustainable and technology-driven rural transformation.
