Press Release
Press Release from ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Sikkim Centre
Information & Public Relations Department
ICAR NEH Sikkim centre observed field scale initiatives under “Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav” at Sirwani Village, Gangtok district, Sikkim, India
Gangtok, Sikkim | 25 May 2026
ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Sikkim Centre, organized a Farmer–Scientist Interaction Programme at Sirwani village under Gangtok district as part of the “Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav” (MGMG) initiative. The programme aimed to strengthen farmers’ knowledge of sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices through direct interaction with scientists.
The programme was led by Dr. Ashok Kumar, Head of Regional Centre (HoRC), along with a team of four scientists from the institute. Around 30 farmers from the village actively participated in the programme. He addressed the gathering of 32 farmers and stressed the importance of off-season vegetable cultivation. He lead the field demonstration on low-cost polyhouse technology to secure high profit earning; thus emphasize the importance of protected cultivation for enhancing farmers’ income and ensure year-round vegetable production.
Dr. Saurav Saha, Senior Scientist (Agricultural Physics), delivered a lecture on the balanced use of nutrients and the importance of biofertilizer application in organic farming to improve soil health towards sustainable agriculture. Dr. Tshering Lhamu Bhutia, Scientist (Vegetable Science), conveyed the importance og seasonal high-value crop cultivation, balanced crop nutrition, and mushroom cultivation, encouraging farmers to adopt diversified and profitable farming practices. Dr. Amit Kumar, Scientist (Agronomy), discussed the importance of green manuring, crop rotation, and crop diversification for sustainable agriculture, highlighting the importance of maintaining soil fertility and long-term productivity. Dr. Pempa L. Bhutia, Scientist (Agroforestry) delivered a lecture on the role of agroforestry in sustainable integrated farming systems, focusing on ecological sustainability and climate resilience. The farmers actively interacted with the scientists and discussed various issues related to crop production, nutrient management, protected cultivation, and sustainable farming systems.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks and an assurance of continued technical guidance and support to the farming community under the MGMG programme. Finally, the scientists also visited farmers’ fields and interacted directly with the farmers to understand the existing farming practices, field-level challenges, and crop conditions. A field demonstration on the construction and use of a low-cost poly tunnel was also conducted to familiarize farmers with the protected cultivation of coriander for increased earnings of small and marginal farmers. The team further provided on-site technical guidance and recommendations for improving crop productivity and sustainable farm management.
Gangtok, Sikkim | 25 May 2026
ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Sikkim Centre, organized a Farmer–Scientist Interaction Programme at Sirwani village under Gangtok district as part of the “Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav” (MGMG) initiative. The programme aimed to strengthen farmers’ knowledge of sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices through direct interaction with scientists.
The programme was led by Dr. Ashok Kumar, Head of Regional Centre (HoRC), along with a team of four scientists from the institute. Around 30 farmers from the village actively participated in the programme. He addressed the gathering of 32 farmers and stressed the importance of off-season vegetable cultivation. He lead the field demonstration on low-cost polyhouse technology to secure high profit earning; thus emphasize the importance of protected cultivation for enhancing farmers’ income and ensure year-round vegetable production.
Dr. Saurav Saha, Senior Scientist (Agricultural Physics), delivered a lecture on the balanced use of nutrients and the importance of biofertilizer application in organic farming to improve soil health towards sustainable agriculture. Dr. Tshering Lhamu Bhutia, Scientist (Vegetable Science), conveyed the importance og seasonal high-value crop cultivation, balanced crop nutrition, and mushroom cultivation, encouraging farmers to adopt diversified and profitable farming practices. Dr. Amit Kumar, Scientist (Agronomy), discussed the importance of green manuring, crop rotation, and crop diversification for sustainable agriculture, highlighting the importance of maintaining soil fertility and long-term productivity. Dr. Pempa L. Bhutia, Scientist (Agroforestry) delivered a lecture on the role of agroforestry in sustainable integrated farming systems, focusing on ecological sustainability and climate resilience. The farmers actively interacted with the scientists and discussed various issues related to crop production, nutrient management, protected cultivation, and sustainable farming systems.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks and an assurance of continued technical guidance and support to the farming community under the MGMG programme. Finally, the scientists also visited farmers’ fields and interacted directly with the farmers to understand the existing farming practices, field-level challenges, and crop conditions. A field demonstration on the construction and use of a low-cost poly tunnel was also conducted to familiarize farmers with the protected cultivation of coriander for increased earnings of small and marginal farmers. The team further provided on-site technical guidance and recommendations for improving crop productivity and sustainable farm management.
