SIKKIM - STATE ANNUAL PLAN 2001-2002AGRICULTUREDEMAND NO. 1The principal field crops grown in Sikkim include cereals like rice, wheat, maize, finger millet, barely and buckwheat; pulses like urd, ricebean, field-pea, cluster-bean and rajmash; oilseeds like soybean, rapeseed and mustard, and others like mushrooms, fibre crops, green manuring crops and so on. These crops are basically necessary for the existence of man and animals. Agriculture, therefore, continues to remain as the main occupation of people in Sikkim, and where, more than 64% of the total cultivated area is put under these field crops. In fact, the importance of agriculture is growing even more than before with the increasing needs of ever-growing population in the State. In spite of limited area of cultivated land, smaller land holdings difficult hilly terrain, diverse agro-climatic conditions prevailing at short distances, low farm income and lack of supportive infrastructure for agricultural development, the State has achieved to sustain a larger portion of its food requirement with its effort for improving agricultural production. Besides increasing productivity, now there are new demands of ensuring sustainability of production, environmental or ecological safeguards, social equality, profitability and employment opportunity. New challenges are growing ever more than before. Hence, there is an urgent need to strengthen agricultural development programmes and revitalize agriculture. Sikkim needs a significant change in agricultural development. This can be achieved by agricultural research having regular evolution of improved crop varieties and strategic technologies; increasing area under assured irrigation; manifold increase in consumption of fertilizers incorporating integrated nutrient management of soil; enhanced use of other agricultural inputs including high yielding and improved seeds; concerted efforts of agricultural extension for the transfer of technology; extending area under double or multiple cropping utilising rabi fallow land; improving farm mechanization process for the hilly terrain; ensuring adoption of natural resources or watershed management technologies; plant health cover through Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme; establishing requisite infrastructure for testing, certification, storage, drying, processing, grading, packaging, levelling and marketing. In the current financial year of 2001-2002, the efforts will be made to enhance the production of all the field crops in the State, including cereals, pulses and oilseeds. The improved rainfed farming practices and the concept of mixed farming system will be encouraged and promoted through a package of production programmes. The National Agricultural Insurance Scheme or Rashtriya Krishi Bima Yojana (RKBY), covering a few crops will be initiated in the State. The proposal for 2001-2002 financial year are briefly outlined as follows. I. Crop Husbandry (Agriculture) 1. Direction & Administration In the process of streamlining the administrative set-up for effective implementation of both the State Plan and the Centrally sponsored Schemes, the Department has now placed Joint Directors and Deputy Directors for administration, extension, training, research and development at the district level and Sub-divisional Agriculture Officers, Agriculture Farm Research Officers and Watershed Development Officers at the Sub-division, Agriculture Farm and Watershed levels respectively, and for which, a substantial increase in outlay is required for the reestablishment. An agriculture extension unit in the form of V.L.W. Centre is created in every Gram Panchayat Unit through adjustment of present manpower. The administrative and accounts set-up of the Department will be stream lined and strengthened at the Head Office as well as District levels. The efforts will be made to upgrade the working system through office automation and training. An additional provision will also be required to meet the establishment costs of the Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare Board. 2. High Yielding Varieties Programme High yielding and improved varieties play a pivotal role in putting agriculture on a scientific mould and achieving increased productivity and production. The objective of the programme is to introduce and promote new and better high yielding and improved varieties of field crops in the State. It is envisaged to cover around 31,000 hectares under high yielding varieties during 2001-2002. The physical target reflects the cumulative level of increase because the programme involves varietal replacement from 5% in the case of open-pollinated varieties to 100% in F-1 hybrids, and as such, the linear correlation to the proposed outlay cannot be established. In fact, the proposal is meant to seek the plan assistance of about 20% of the actual cost of the programmes alone for achieving the projected cumulative level of high yielding and improved varieties coverage and bringing more areas under double cropping. The anticipated achievement of 2000-2001 and the targets for 2001-2002 are as follows.
3. Seed Multiplication and Distribution The production and distribution of improved seeds of field crops constitutes as they primary activity of agricultural development. The scheme aims to produce quality seeds and ensure supply of improved seeds of field crops to farmers at right time and in adequate quantities in the State. Sikkim, having not covered under the National Seed Project as well as having no State Seeds Corporation, requires atleast the basic infrastructures for seed testing certification and quality control of seeds. For 2001-2002, it is emphasised to strengthen seed production and regulation of seed quality. The anticipated achievement of 2000-2001 is shown on higher side in anticipation of Plan Supplementary Grants. The targets for 2001-2002 are as follows.
4. Agriculture Farms Based on different agro-climatic regions and sub-regions, the State has 12 Agriculture farms, each having area ranging from mere 0.85 to over 30 hectares. For each Agriculture Farm, infrastructures in terms of farm, office, stores and other farm structures at the minimum level have been established along with the posting of qualified agriculture officers and staff. The main objectives of these farms are to conduct adaptive research trials, to multiply seeds of promising pre-released crop varieties and to demonstrate recommended or improved crop production practices. In addition, there are several V.L.W. Centre Demonstration farms of less than one hectare size each to demonstrative improved agricultural inputs and package of practices as a method of transfer of technology to farmers in the respective areas of operation. In 2001-2002, it is envisaged to upgrade and consolidate the physical facilities of Agriculture Farms as well as V.L.W. Centre democration Farms in terms or technical manpower, land development, fencing, irrigation facilities, construction of renovation of residential buildings, threshing floors and other farm structures. The farms will further be equipped with improved implements, hand tools and other related accessories to render greater efficency to various activities of Agriculture Farms and V.L.W. Centre Demonstration Farms. With the reorganisation of the department with the creation of posts at the Sub-divisional and watershed levels, it is felt necessary to acquire land at appropriate locations for establishment of required infrastructures. The anticipated achievement of 2000-2001 is shown on higher side in anticipation of plan Supplementary grants. The targets for various programmes under the scheme during 2001-2002 are as follows.
5. Chemical Fertilisers Chemical fertilisers are one of the most important agricultural inputs for enhancing production and productivity of crops. The consumption of balanced nutrients will be promoted. Efforts will be made to improve use of fertilizers through promotional measures like subsidy and demonstrations. Effective distribution through the Sikkim Marketing Federation (SIMFED) will be emphasised in the State. Further, corrective measures will be undertaken to improve upon the availability of requisite macro-and micro-nutrients. The anticipated achievement of 2000-2001 is shown on higher side in anticipation of Plan Supplementary Grants. The targets for various programmes during 2001-2002 are as follows.
6. Organic Manures and Micro-Organisms The use of organic manures and useful soil micro-organisms requires to be promoted as alternative means of supplying plant nutrients to soil at cheaper and eco-friendly manner. It enables to avoid intake of chemical residues with food, to preserve and maintain soil ecology with living activities, to achieve the sustainable target of crop production and to minimise the cost of plant nutrients. The scheme envisages to take up programmes related to promotion and development of bio-fertilisers like Rhizobiums, Azotobecter, Azospirillum, Phosphate Soluble Bacteria, etc., improved composts, green manures and vermin-composts. The anticipated achievement of 2000-2001 and the targets of various programmes under this scheme for 2001-2002 are as follows.
7. Plant Protection Plant protection programmes are meant for control of crop diseases and pests which are cost intensive in Sikkim due to difficult terrain, high rainfall and mixed cropping system. The measures should be more of protective and preventive nature dully adopting control measures on extensive campaign basis in case of occurrence of diseases and pests in endemic or epidemic forms. Hence, more emphasis will be given to seed treatment, soil treatment and prophylactic measures. Systematic plant protection programmes need to be launched to tackle disease/pest problems associated with various crops. Further, there is an urgent need to control of rodents including strored grain pests on a campaign basis. The programme under plant health cover for 2001-2002 would emphasize on IPM programmes. The anticipated achievement of 2000-2001 and the targets of various programmes under this scheme for 2001-2002 are as follows.
8. Extension and Training The extension and training activities provide the means through which transfer of technology to farmers is achieved. The scheme aims to disseminate scientific knowledge to the grassroot level through a system of training, audio-visual aids, printed materials, meetings, field days, exhibitions, crop competitions, conducted tours, group discussions, etc. including practical demonstration of crop production practices. During 2001-2002, the programme envisaged for implementation consolidating the physical infra-structures and organisation of training for farmers and farm women on a large scale. The anticipated achievement of 2000-2001 and the targets of various programmes under this scheme for 2001-2002 are as follows.
9. Agriculture Economics and Statistics The scheme is meant to generate reliable data on every aspect of agriculture for realistic planning and implementation of various development programmes in the rural areas. The is a crucial need of the State like Sikkim where the land terrain and the agro-climatic conditions present a great deal of heterogeneity and variations. A beginning has been made in building up data-base for crop area statistics and compliation of realistic crop cutting results. Of late, a system of data collection, analysis and documentation has been stated. Now there is need to strengthen and diversity the activities providing adequate support mechanism. The anticipated achievement of 2000-2001 and the targets of various programmes under this scheme for 2001-2002 are as follows.
10. Agriculture Engineering Farm mechanisation would be of considerable importance in improving productivity and efficiency in agriculture. Efforts will be made to introduce simple mechanical devices to bring about improvement in farm operations. The programmes to be implemented under this scheme in 2001-2002 will be (a) to strengthen the physical facilities of the Agriculture Engineering workshop, (b) to promote and popularise improved agricultural tools and implements like threaters, plant protection equipments, seed drills, cultivators, shellers, seed-bins, planters, ploughs, etc. and (c) to solve the problem of post-harvest processing of farm produce for increasing agricultural production in the State. The anticipated achievement of 2000-2001 and the targets of various programmes under this scheme for 2001-2002 are as follows.
11. Dryland Development Rainfed farming is a predominant feature in Sikkim with negligible area under assured irrigation. Erratic rains and sloppy terrain do not aid much in retaining soil moisture for a longer period. Improved rainfed/dryland farming, therefore, needs special attention and emphasis for stepping up productivity of the State. The measures like land development, improvement in the farming practices, promotion of water storage structures and tanks, and increased use of suitable seeds will be taken up. It is envisaged to take up four new micro-watersheds for implementing improved measures during 2001-2002. The programme for drought prone area will be continued to aid farmers of drought prone areas with various agronomic, engineering, soil and water conservation measures in integrated manner. The anticipated achievement of 2000-2001 and the targets of various programmes under this scheme for 2001-2002 are as follows.
12. Soil Testing The State has laid great emphasis on soil analysis to make good use of expensive fertilisers, micro-nutrients, trace elements, etc. Various programmes undertaken during 2001-2001 and targets for 2001-2002 under soil testing scheme are as follows.
13. Commercial Crops-Mushroom Development Sikkim, having varied agro-climatic conditions, has a good scope of mushroom cultivation. With the establishment of a mushroom spawn complex and initiation of promotional measures like training and demonstrations, a lot of people have shown interest in mushroom growing including unemployed educated youth. It is aimed to popularise mushroom cultivation, particularly Oyser and White Button mushrooms, with more trainings and demonstrations during 2001-2002. SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION (AGRICULTURE) 1. Soil Conservation in Agricultural Land Of 1,11,000 hectare of land under operational holding in the State, the area which is not prone to severe erosion is about 20,000 hectare. The remaining area under rainfed crops are mostly of Class II and above. The National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning has estimated that there is no land of Class I and less than three per cent of Class II and rest of Class III and above. The soil conservation in agricultural land is needed as an important development measure due to prevalence of sloppy terrain, high intensity rain and poor water retention capacity of soil. There is immense scope of improving productivity with the soil conservation measures in agricultural land in the State. During 2000-2001, 40 hectares of land terracing could be taken up in 30 model villages under the supervision of village implementation committees. It is envisaged to take up atleast 450 hectares of terracing agricultural land during 2001-2002 in the State. 2. Other Soil and Water Conservation Measures in Agriculture Of various soil and water conservation measures, maintenance of eight nurseries for propagating planting materials and two soil conservation models in government farms and a small scale programme of soil reclamation are being carried out during 2000-2001 in the State. Other programmes like water conservation, garland plantation, other agronomic measures, command area development and agro-meteorology, which are recorded as important programmes in the Ninth Plan period, could not be implemented due to lack of fund. All these programmes need to be taken up in 2001-2002 onwards in a more vigorous manner as the State lacks badly in supportive agricultural infrastructures and programmes to step up agricultural production. The programme-wise anticipated achievement of 2000-2001 are tabulated as follows.
II. Food Storage and Warehousing 1. Storage and Warehousing In the Ninth Plan, there is a target of creating 12,500 tonnes storage capacity for storing Government farm produce and different agricultural inputs. The anticipated achievement of 2000-2001 and the targets of various programmes under this scheme for 2001-2002 are as follows.
III. Agriculture Research and Education 1. Agriculture Research Adaptive research is being taken up under the Agriculture Research. A large number of high yielding varieties of different field crops to suit the specific agro-climatic conditions of the State have been identified. Besides varietal screening, adaptive trials on fertiliser use, various agronomic practices, efficacy of new agricultural inputs, non-traditional crops and cropping patterns have resulted in bringing about significant improvement in the productivity standards. Adequate attention will be given to explore new areas such as development of better soil and water management techniques and organic farming practices, including integrated nutrient management. The programme-wise anticipated achievement of 2000-2001 and targets for 2001-2002 are tabulated as follows.
2. Agriculture Education For implementing various developmental programmes, the department requires a cadre of technically qualified personnel in different specialised disciplines like plant breeders, bio-technologists, agriculture marketing experts, remote sensing technologists, agriculture-related IT expert and so son. This will be achieved by way of intensive programmes of manpower development involving in-service training of officers and technical staff. The targets and achievements anticipated of the scheme are as follows.
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