DEMAND NO. 16
Sikkim has a net cultivable area of about 79,000
hectare (11.13%); with irrigated area of 15% of the total operational
holdings of 110000 hectare. About 80% of the people are directly or
indirectly dependent on scarce land resources for their livelihood
and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The state being
hilly has no scope of industrial growth, and hence has not adequately
succeeded in decreasing the pressure on agriculture/ horticulture
as the agrarian population has decreased at minimal since its merger
in the Indian Union (1975). The contribution of horticulture to the
state’s domestic product will also be of overwhelming importance.
The sector, therefore, will have to receive priority attention for
higher levels of rural prosperity.
Sikkim has entered upon an era of intensive development
after the historic constitutional change of April 1975 through which
the State joined the mainstream of national life, becoming the 22nd
State of Indian Union. As a result of the Plan Development for the
last 25 years, the highest increase of cultivated land in percentage
was recorded for cereals (22,760 ha) (which is mainly due to introduction
of wheat and is a new crop in the traditional cropping system of Sikkim),
followed by large cardamom (13,480 ha). Percentage increase of cash
crops was recorded 204% in area, 192% in production and 452% in productivity
as compared to common crops (increase in area 77%, 287% in production
and 119% in productivity) Ginger recorded the highest increase in
percentage of area (920%), production (1100%) and productivity (1762%).
Large Cardamom’s share in state’s gross income was proportionally
very high (16.58% in 1995-96).
During the IXth Plan period the Plan Investment was
minimal for the development of Horticulture in Sikkim. The Department
of Horticulture is in the priority list of the State Government, but
ranks the least in budgetary support. The Department has a share of
only 1% of the total State Budget of the IXth Five Year Plan, that
ranges from 0.90% (2001-02) to 1.29% (1997-98). Total of Rs 12.59
Crores (1% of the total State budget) was provided to the Department
during the IXth Plan Period, of which Rs 2.02 lakh for Research &
Education, Rs 11,129 crores for administrative and production programmes
and Rs 1,465 crors for marketing and constitutes only 27.09% of the
approved outlay of the IX Plan The Department utilized 15.12% on salaries,
3.04% on Travel Allowances, 6.14% Office Expenses. 3.65% on Motor
Vehicles, 45.29% on other establishment (Unproductive Muster Roll),
12.89% on Capital expenditure and only about 20% (Rs 2.52 crores during
the entire IXth Plan period) on Development programmes. Although the
IXth Plan Planning commission had agreed a budget of Rs 3960.00 lakh
on Crop Husbandry for horticulture and Rs 400.00 lakh for Marketing
and Quality Control for the IX th Plan (1997-02), the Department was
allotted a share of only Rs 1112.91 lakh for Crop Husbandry. Horticulture
and Rs 146.55 lakh for Marketing and Quality Control which is 28.10%
and 36.64% of the total budget agreed upon during the IXth Plan period.
During the Xth Plan the Department has projected
at the same level of IXth Plan which was agreed upon by the Planning
Commission with Internal adjustments of Horticultural Schemes. The
sector-wise allocations could be seen from Annexure I.
In the Plan against of Sikkim the priority sector
include Tourism, Power, Horticulture and Information Technology. The
priority area under Horticulture in the order of sequence are Providing
Vital Linkages for perishable Horticultural Produce Storage, Marketing
and Distribution, Human Resource Development; production of Large
Cardamom, Ginger, Fruits, Vegetables, Potato, Floriculture and Value
addition of Horticultural products.
Unlike previous Five Year Plans, Xth YEAR PLAN envisages
to address on the various sectors of strengths and weaknesses pointed
out by the two historic documents "Sikkim the People’s vision"
and "Sikkim Human Development Report" released recently
by the Government of Sikkim. The Xth Plan document has been critically
prepared to address the specific sectors pointed out in these documents.
During the IXth Plan, the Importance of traditional
crops were given due importance, mind set was changed, but had no
resources in the State plan to justify its priority to deal with so
many horticultural crops. The department was allotted only 1% of the
total Plan allocation of the State and 27.09% of the approved IXth
Plan Outlay. Out fo the only 20% (Rs 2.52 crores in the entire IXth
Plan) was available for the development work, 80% was for the establishment
expenses of the department. Practically, horticulture as a priority
sectors is only a lip service without a budgetary support.
Horticulture includes a varieties of fruits, vegetables,
root and tuber crops, mushroom, honey, nuts, spice crops like large
cardamom, ginger, turmeric,, seed spices etc. medicinal and aromatic
plants. The sector has established its importance in improving land
use, promoting crop diversification, generating employment and above
all providing nutritional security to the people. Horticulture also
encompasses every aspect of aesthetics, economics and environmental
regeneration. The Budget allotted during the IXth Plan could not be
justified for the development of so many horticultural crops.
Keeping all these above points in view, the following
objectives of the Horticulture Sector has been prioritised for the
Xth Plan.
However, achievements depends on availability of
budget to justify and address the above strength, weakness and Hi-tech
available and also to justify such a large numbers of horticultural
crops to deal with in this sector.
During the IXth Plan, average annual budget allocation
was to the tune of Rs 209.82 lakh out of which only about Rs 41.96
lakh was available for development works annually and constituted
only 28% of the approved outlay. As a result, in spite of annual growth
target of horticulture production of 4.74%, only 2.343% were d to
be achieved, which works out to only 49.43% of the target.
The objectives and horticultural crop production
targets of Xth Plan has been envisaged to achieve annual growth rate
of 10% subject to availability of fund and Horticultural investment
to that extent proposed.
OBJECTIVES OF THE HORTICULTURE SECTOR:
1. Sustainable horticulture production of fruits,
vegetables, root and tuber crops, floriculture, medicinal herbs, aromatic
plants, beekeeping (honey), mushroom, spice crops such as large cardamom,
ginger, turmeric etc. for high domestic demand and export;
2. To provide food and nutritional security to the
people.
3. To persuade hobby and kitchen garden/back-yard
cultivators for commercial production of horticultural crops both
for poverty alleviation as well as for rapid economic growth of the
people.
4. to explore commercial cultivation of plant biodiversity
i.e. medicinal and aromatic plants, floriculture, fruits and vegetables
etc.
5. To develop high quality horticultural firms in
identified belts and make such areas vibrant with horticultural activity
which in tam will act as hubs for developing commercial horticulture
and Agriculture-Export Zone; Develop marketing infrastructure of two
wholesale and fourteen Rural/Apni Mandies for marketing of horticultural
produce;
6. Creating Vital Linkages of Post-Harvest management,
Cold Chain infrastructure with Multi-Chamber Controlled Atmosphere
Stores at Wholesale and Apni Mandies for perishable horticultural
produce storage, marketing and distribution of fruits, vegetables,
ginger, cardamom etc;
7. To provide facilities for primary processing of
products such as extraction, fermentation, distillation, juice vending,
pulping, dressing, cutting, chopping etc.;
8. Providing all kinds of horticulture inputs such
as tools, equipments, plastics, packaging, crates, cartoons, aseptic
packaging, nets, cardamom dryers etc.;
9. Capacity Building and Training of trainers, farmers,
NGOs Entrepreneurs on hi-tech horticulture and other capacity building
programmes;
10. To facilitate private investment in horticulture
through back-ended subsidies of NHB, APED & NABARD, and other
joint ventures;
I. RSEARCH & EDUCATION:
Research and Development support for development
of Horticulture is the basic need and forms the platform to take-off
the activity. The basic research is the mandate of ICAR (Indian Council
of Agriculture Research) at the National level and State Agriculture
University in the state level. During the IXth Plan period the State
suffered from R&D support due to absence of its own Agriculture
University. The ICAR Complex, Tadong has failed miserably to provide
the R&D support because of non-deployment of Scientist and frequent
transfer of Scientists. NRC Orchid, Pakyong is just coming up and
may take sometime to give us the result. On the other hand, the State’s
economy largely depends on traditional crops such as Large Cardamom,
Ginger, Mandarin Orange, Potato etc. and not a single research institute
is working on crop improvement of these traditional crops in the country.
Adaptive trails and technology transfer is the mandate
of the Department. But the human resource development for capacity
building of the field functionaries is limited by budgetary support
of the Government.
During the Xth Plan the following research and development
requirement for Horticulture has been proposed:
The State continues to suffer from horticulture research
back up, as there are no adequate Institutions/University or College
infrastructures engaged on horticulture research for traditional horticultural
crops of Sikkim. The existing ICAR Research Complex, Yadong have only
two Scientists on Horticulture and has its own limitations. The Research
Sector of Spices Board Gangtok has also limited Scientists and resources
to tackle the problems. On the other hand the immediate research needs
of the State are summarized as follows:
Human Resource Development and Transfer of Technology
1. Consultancy for establishment of well equipped
tissue culture laboratory and training of manpower for its effective
utilization.
2. Training of manpower for modern method of nursery
management in mandarin orange at NRC Citrus, Nagpur, Maharastra.
3. Training of manpower and transfer of technology,
protocol development, micro-tuber production and regeneration for
nucleus seed production of red-skin tuber potato at CPRI, Shimla or
CPRI, Shillong or Tripura;
4. Training of manpower and transfer of technology
on tissue culture and micro-tip grafting of Sikkim mandarin for mother
orchard establishment at NRC Citrus, Nagpu, Maharastra;
5. Training of manpower and transfer of technology,
protocol development, micro-rhizome production and regeneration for
nucleus seed production of Sikkim Green Ginger Varieties at Kerela;
6. Training of manpower and transfer of technology-
for protocol development? Cost-effective mass multiplication of cymbidium
orchids, anthurium, gerbera and lilliums at NRC orchids, Pakyong,
Sikkim;
7. Training of Field Functionaries and farmers on
buddling production of Sikkim mandarin at NRC, Nagpur;
8. Training of Field Functionaries and farmers on
commercial cut flower production of orchids, anthurium, gerbera, lillium,
gladioli etc. and
9. Training of manpower and transfer of technology
on Bee Keeping. Medicinal herbs, and mass production of bio-agents
in the IPM laboratory.
I. Large Cardamom:
1. Identification of suitable high yielding/hybrid
of large cardamom for now, mid and high hills of Sikkim;
2. Development and refinement of existing technology
for multiplication, production, protection, pre and post harvest handling,
curing, packaging and marketing;
III. Ginger:
1. Provide disease free planting material through
tissue culture/rhizome multiplication;
2. Refinement of production, protection and processing
technologies;
Technology refinement for control of soft rot/dry
rot/bacterial wily white grubs etc;
IV. Fruits
1. Identification of suitable Sikkim Mandarin mother
tree/orchard and production of disease free and true to type planting
materials through buddling production on suitable root-stocks;
2. Germplasm collection, evaluation to find out high
yielding varieties, and development of propagation methods of passion
fruits;
3. Development of production, protection, pre and
post harvest handling, processing and marketing of Sikkim Mandarin
and Passion fruits;
V. Vegetable Crops:
1. Identification of suitable high yielding/hybrid
vegetable for commercial production to tomato, beans, peas, cauliflower,
cabbage, broccoli, as well as traditional vegetables such as iskus,
cucumber, pumpkin etc.;
2. Refinement of production and protection technology
for vegetable;
3. Development of technology for year round production
of quality vegetables under cost effective protected structures;
4. Supply of quality nucleus/breeder seed of important
vegetables.
VI Potato:
1. Supply of TPS for production of high yielding/hybrid
(Red-skin tuber) potato;
2. Production of micro-tubers of TPS of red-skin
tuber varies/hybrids of potato.
VII Floriculture:
1. Identification of high yielding varieties/hybrids
for production of quality flowers for domestic and export market mainly
orchids, anthurium, camation, gerbera, lillium, gladioli and other
bulbous flowers;
2. Development of protocol for multiplication through
convertional and micro-propagation techniques;
3. Development of production, protection, pre and
post harvest handling and packing technologies;
4. Standardization of cut flower production technology
on orchids, carnation, gerbera, lillium, anthurium etc.
VIII Medicinal and aromatic plants:
1. Survey and documentation of biodiversity of potential
medicinal and aromatic plants as Sikkim is a hot sport for database
and exploring the possibility of commercial cultivation in different
elevations of Sikkim, (low, mid, high and alpine hills);
2. Establishment of Herbal gardens to develop cultural
practices;
IX Beekeeping:
1. Introduce beekeeping both as crop pollination
agents and honey producers;
2. Evaluate effectiveness as pollination agents in
large cardamom and other crops;
X Organic Farming:
i) To evaluate production and marketing of organic
horticulture produce such as organic vegetables, fruits, spices etc.;
In Xth Plan to strengthen the research and Education
base more through partner-ship programmes of ISPS (Indo-Swiss Project
Sikkim); and Indo-Australian Project Spices Board, Gangtok, ICAR Tadong-Complex
and National Orchid Centre, Pakyong, Side byside efforts will be made
to develop and strengthen the research capability building of the
Departmental Officials utilizing IPM (Integrated Pest Management)
Laboratory Tadong and GDTF (Ginger Disease Task Force) laboratory,
Tadong and through Technology Mission. Further, capacity, building
programme of research base will be strengthened by deputing in-service
study of Officials.
II. DIRECTION & ADMINISTRATION:
During the IXth Plan the newly created Horticulture
Department in the State was reorganized and strengthened in phased
manner. The districts have been provided with Joint Directors and
subdivisions with sub-divisional officers. To look after Horticulture
Extension work one Horticulture Inspector has been provided for every
two units of Gram Panchayat units. To provide minimum working facilities
to these District Sub-divisional mad Horticulture Inspectors a good
budgetary support is needed for their Office establishment and other
working facilities.
III. PRODUCTION PROGRAMMES:
Production programmes of IXth Plan was jeopardized
by the severe drought of 1998-99. There was a very long spell of dryness
in Sikkim. It is estimated that the total rainfall was 93.34% lower
than that recorded over the last 25 years. This had visible adverse
effect on the economy, especially on drinking water, irrigation Rabi
crops and cash crops like large cardamom, orange orchards (perennial)
and ginger. It was estimated that 60% of the total state’s large cardamom
has been lost in this unprecedented dry spell. The activities of remaining
three years (2000-02) of the IXth Plan was mainly to recover the lost
Cardamom and other perennial orchards through re-plantation programmes.
However due to good rainfall during 1990-00 and 2000-01, the recovery
was quick and could regain the production level to normal.
Unlike the IXth Five Year Plan there will be:
i) Prioritization of Horticultural crops of economic
Importance in the order of Large Cardamom, Ginger, Mandarin Orange,
Potato, Off-season Vegetables, Cymbidium Orchids;
ii) Since, there is very little scope of area expansion
of large cardamom and other such crops, vertical increase in production
of crops with selected approach of production programmes like replantation,
scientific curing of cardamom, value addition and other productivity
improvement programmes will be the priority areas;
A) Fruits Development Programmes:
The fruit production target of IXth Plan was 8,500
tonnes of orange and 4,000 tonnes of other fruits. Against this target
anticipated achievement is 7,550 tonnes of orange and 2,500 tonnes
of other fruits making a total of 10,050 tonnes which is 80.40% with
an annual growth rate of 5.24%. The production programmes of fruits
during the IXth plan suffered from unavailability of quality planting
materials of fruits and their long gestation period. However a sift
on technology adoption has been started during the IXth Plan.
(i) On production of buddlings of orange instead
of seedlings;
(ii) Priority shift from Mandarin orange to Passion
fruit plantation and
(iii) Apple Industry revival through Indo-Australian
Project;
(iv) Shifting hobby cultivators to Commercial cultivators
of Horticulture crops.
(v) Change of mind-set from Common Sense Horticulture
to Knowledge-based Horticulture;
(vi) Change of Cost and Quality Un-Competitiveness
to Cost and Quality Competitive Horticulture.
(vii) Change from Market negligence to Market Driven
Horticulture.
The Xth Plan envisages to produce 9,815 tonnes of
orange and 5,260 tonnes of other fruits making a total of 15,076 tonnes
of fruits with an annual growth rate of 10 per cent. The annual plan
target for 2002-03 has been proposed to 8,003 tonnes of orange and
3,052 tones for other fruits. An effort will be made to produce enough
fruits of Mandarin orange an passion fruits for the state’s requirement
and for fruit preservation factory, Singtam. Mass production of buddling
of orange, grafts of guava, mango, layers of litchi, seedlings of
passion fruits will be taken up in Government farms. Demonstration
will be conducted for establishment of budded orange orchards in some
of the suitable areas with package of programmes. Mother orchards
will be developed from the micro-tip graft plants of Sikkim Mandrin
in one of the progeny gardens. For this facilities of Growing net
house is required. Germplasm collection of passion fruits will be
made in one of the progency gardens for evaluation, selection, mother
orchard development needed for propagation. Farm fencing, footpath
development and other working facilities in ten important progency
orchards of fruits is required. Providing mobility to at-least four
officers working on pomology in the districts has been kept under
this plan. Production of quality planting materials of all kinds of
fruits, in sufficient numbers will be made in these ten numbers of
progeny gardens scattered in all the four districts of Sikkim.
Planting of new orchards of various potentials fruits
such as Sikkim Mandarin, Passion fruits, Guava, Litchi, Avocado, Banana,
and other subtropical fruits, Temperate fruits such as apple, pear,
plum, peach, Kiwi etc. is a continuous programme in this scheme.
Similarly, rejuvenation of old orchards of Mandarin
orange and apple is an on going programme and has to be continued
Management of existing orchards both in the public and private sector,
and management demonstration are the integral part of this scheme.
B) Vegetable Crops:
The IXth Plan production target of vegetables was
11,500 tones Kharif, 11,000 Rabi and 11,000 tonnes Off-season making
a total of 36,500 tonnes, of which 10,350 tonnes Kharif, 12,550 Rabi
and 9,600 tonnes Off-season was making a total of 32,500 tonnes has
been anticipated to be achieved with an annual growth rate of 20.37%.
The annual growth rate of season was 40.22% and that off-season was
19.25%. During IXth Plan, Vegetables production also suffered from
unavailability of quality seeds. The technology of Off-season vegetable
production for all year round under Green House is under adoption,
which may be fruitful in the days to come. Seedlings production of
some vegetables through Community nursery programmes and seed minikit
distribution at the rural areas has been successful. However, many
kinds of vegetables cannot be grown economically in the State and
such vegetables will be continuously imported from other States. Efforts
are being made to cultivate such vegetables under green house.
Certified Seed production of vegetables is the weakest
link in vegetables production because of non-availability of breeder
seeds. Availability of breeder seeds for certified seed production
of vegetable is the biggest constraint. Hence, Vegetable Seed production
is mainly continued to peas, beans, rayogag, radish, cucurbits etc.
The Xth Plan envisages to produce 15,525% tonnes
Kharif, 18,825 tonnes Rabi, 14,400 Off-season making a total of 48,750
tones of vegetables at the annual growth rate of 10.00%. The annual
target for 2002-03 has been proposed to 11,385 tones Kharif, 13,805
Rabi and 10,560 Off-season making a total of 35,750 tonnes. Seeds
and infrastructure facilities will be provided to community seedling
growers; seed minikits will be provided to rural farmers at subsidized
rates. Availability of seed at rural areas is very difficult. Providing
seed minikit at rural areas and community nursery are continuous schemes
started during the IXth Plan and will be continued in the Xth Plan
also. More emphasis will be given on Off-season production and protected
cultivation of Off-season vegetables. Efforts will be made to produce
vegetables through out the year by utilizing Green houses/cost effective
green houses under plasticulture programmes. Commercial production
of Iskus (Sechium edule), Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, peas, beans,
tomato etc. are the priority areas during the tenth Plan. Certified
Seed production of Vegetable crops have to be bust up during this
plan. Provision has been kept for providing working facilities, mobility
at-least four to the district officers who are working in extension.
The on going programmes such as seed minikit distribution
in the rural areas and town areas. Community Nursery. Technology introduction
and demonstration of vegetables will be continued during the Xth Plan
also.
C) Root & Tuber Crops:
Potato is the most important crop under this scheme.
Other minor tuber crops are cassava, sweet potato and yams. The IXth
Plan target of potato production was 15,000 Kharif potato, 15,500
Rabi potato and 1,500 other root and tuber crops. Against this target
the anticipated production has been estimated to 13,050 tonnes Kharif
potato 12,600 Rabi potato and 1,800 other root and tuber crops 30,500
tonnes, with annual growth rate of 10%. The greatest constraint on
potato production is non-availability of red-skin tuber variety breeder
seeds in the country. A continuous replacement of potato seed to the
seed growers in the seed villages for optimum production through foundation
seed multiplication in Government Farms is the basic necessity for
increasing production and productivity, which is not up to the desired
level at present because of the non-availability of desired breeder
seeds.
The Xth Plan envisages potato production of 19,575
Kharif potato, 18,900 Rabi potato and 2,700 other root and tuber crops
making a total of 41,175 tonnes at the end of Xth Plan, with an annual
growth of 10%. The annual target for 2002-03 has been proposed to
14,355 tonnes of Kharif potato, 13,860 Rabi potato and 1,980 tonnes
other root and tuber crops making a total of 30,195 tonnes. Foundation
seed production in Government farms and seed replacement to certified
seed growers in the seed villages are the important activities under
this scheme. Seeds can not be grown at lower hills and providing potato
seeds to the farmers of lower hills at subsidies rate is the next
important activity under this scheme Unavailability of red-skin tuber
variety breeder seed and replacement of quality seed to the certified
seed growers is the greatest constraint in potato production.
Foundation Seed production obtaining breeder seeds
from CPRI, Shimla in Government Farms at Hilley and Rabangla for Seed
replacement in the Seed Villages, Certified seed production in Certified
Seed Villages, and making available of seeds to Rabi potato growers
are the ongoing programmes and will be continued in this scheme. Health
coverage, soil management, micro-nutrient are the important activities
under this. Providing physical working facilities such as seed go
down farm fencing, are essential. Provision has been made for providing
mobility to the districts officers working under this crop one each
to the four districts.
Sweet Potato, Cassava, Yams, Colocasia etc. are the
other root and tuber crops of minor importance Introduction of Improved/Hybrid
varieties, Minikit distribution and demonstration are the various
programme under this scheme.
D) Spice Crops:
Large Cardamom and Ginger are the most important
spice crops of Sikkim. The economies of farmers of Sikkim mainly depend
on production and marketing of these important traditional crops.
(i) Large Cardamom:
The IXth Plan target of Large Cardamom production
was 4,7000 tonnes. Despite the severe drought of 1998-99, which affected
and destroyed 60% of orchards, large cardamom production quickly regained
its previous production level. The anticipated production achievement
of IX Plan is 4,667 tonnes with an annual growth of 1.79%.
The cultivars identified by the Department Seremna
and Bharlangey are doing well, Two more varieties of Sawney SBLC-5
and SBLC-50 have been identified by Spices Board are due to release
to the farmers shortly. Technology for seedling and sucker production
are being refined. The technology adoption of large cardamom curing
through use of Gassifier-System is under progress. Further, refinement
of the system through TERI/ISPS is under study.
The greatest constraint of optimum production of
large cardamom is re-plantation of about 10,000 ha. Old plantation
in phased manner which are above 16-20 years of age. For replantation
of one hectare of large cardamom require 4,500 to 5,000 plants and
for 10,000 ha. 500 core numbers. The cost of a good quality planting
material comes to about Rs 2/3 each. Availability of quality planting
materials is the greatest constraint in large Cardamom production.
Further due to absence or R&D support there are no high yielding/improved
varieties of this traditional crop.
The Xth Plan Target of Large Cardamom production
has been envisaged to 6,300 tonnes, with annual growth rate of 7%.
The annual target proposed for 2002-2003 is 4,994 tonnes. This target
will be achieved through replantation of old orchards providing planting
materials for gap filling. Providing shade tree saplings etc. Large
Cardamom orchards has a productive life of 15-20 years. About 10,000
ha. Of existing orchards need immediate replantation. Production of
planting material through tissue culture, seedling production, sucker
production and replantation of old orchards in phase manner will be
the most priority task of this scheme. Selection of mother orchards,
extration of seeds for nursery raising in Government farms and providing
seeds to the private nurseries is a continuous programme. Modernizing
nursery management, technology introduction, demonstration, farm fencing,
providing irrigation facility etc. are the integral part of this programme,
Provision for providing mobility to the officials working under this
programme one each in all the four district has been made.
Plant health health coverage, replantation demonstration,
new plantation demonstration, rejuvenation of old orchards will be
continued in this plan also.
For quality improvement, providing gassifier system
to the small and marginal farmers for demonstration is another important
task under this scheme.
(ii) Ginger:
The second most important cash crop of Sikkim, gained
tremendous growth and importance during VIIIth and IXth Plan Period.
The IXth Plan production target of ginger (Green) was 26,000 tonnes,
of which 25,000 tonnes is the anticipated achievement, with an annual
growth rate of 4.17%. During the IXth Plan pests and disease control
measures were successfully tackled through ISPS programme Now all
the major diseases and pests are identified and control measures are
available to the farmers. A considerable awareness on importance of
seed and various disease control measures at grass root level field
functionaries and a farmer has been created.
The Xth Plan target of ginger production has been
proposed to 35,000 tonnes, with annual growth rate of 8% and that
of annual plan 2002-03 to 26,750 tonnes. This will be achieved through
creating awareness of ginger diseases to farmers, disease free seed
production of ginger in the seed villages providing disease free seed
minikits. IPM activity to combat pests and diseases of ginger etc.
are the important activities of this scheme. The scheme envisages
to produce 200-250 tonnes of disease free seeds for distribution to
the farmers. Production of healthy disease flee seed in the seed villages
and providing disease free seed on demonstration to the small and
marginal farmers in the seed villages is the most important activity
of this scheme. Seed Production demonstration, disease monitoring
demonstration and health coverage demonstration are continuous programmes
and will be continued.
(iii) Turmeric:
Turmeric has a good potential for production provided
processing industries comes up in the State. This is another crop
gaining popularity among farmers but it needs processing linkage without
which sustainable production may be difficult. The scheme envisage
to produce improve varieties of seed material introduced in the state
during the IXth Plan, minikit distribution and demonstration. The
IXth Plan target of Turmeric production was 1,200 tonnes against which
anticipated production is 1,220 tonnes. The Xth Plan target has been
proposed to 5,030 tonnes and annual target for 2002-03 to 2,232 tonnes.
These targets will be achieved through production and distribution
of quality planting materials and providing processing linkages.
E) Commercial Floriculture:
Floriculture has a good scope in Sikkim but constrained
by lack of the following infrastructure and policy decisions as pointed
out in Sikkim. "Human Development Report" by Dr M.P. Lama;
(i) Introduction of modern technologies –
including tissue culture both in public and Private sectors – is most
essential for mass multiplication of desired quality materials.
(iii) Strong budgetary support as capital
investment and
(iv) Infrastructure facility, for post harvest
and marketing.
The IXth Plan Target of cut flower production was
15 lakh numbers and plants/bulbs production was 20 lakh numbers. Against
this anticipated achievement of cut flower production is 10 lakh numbers
and plants/bulb production is 12 lakh numbers. The shortfall is due
to unavailability of quality planting materials and R&D backup.
The Xth Plan target proposed is 15 lakh number cut flowers and 18
lakh number plants/bulbs and annual target for 2002-03 is 11 lakh
number cut flowers and 13.2 lakh numbers plants/bulbs with an annual
growth rate of 10%.
Floriculture has a tremendous potential but the state
has yet to see break tough. During the IXth Plan the activity was
limited to introduction of commercial varieties of flowers and multiplication
in Government farms and farmers field. But it is very unfortunate
to observe that most of such elite planting material finds its way
to other states due to lack of strong legislation and age-old business
of the existing nurseries to drain out the valuable biodiversity of
floriculture from Sikkim. With the dawn of democracy, these nurseries
have become more active and started draining out the introduced materials
outside the state before flowering of such introduced materials.
Further floriculture without cooperative movement
is impossible. Since, cooperative movement in the state is weak floriculture
activity, has not been productive so far.
The scheme envisages to address introduction of commercial
flowers, multiplication, cooperative marketing through wholesale markets
and export through investors. The priority flowers are in order of
cymbidium orchids. Anthurium, Gladioli, Lillium, tropical orchids
etc. Production Technology up-gradition through demonstration for
cut flower production, providing technology of pre and post harvest
and providing working facility to the field workers in the districts
is essential.
F) Medicinal and Aromatic Plants:
Sikkim is a hot-sport of biodiversity of medicinal
and aromatic plants. To begin with detail survey, documentation and
identification of medicinal and aromatic plants is essential. Further
herbal gardens have to be established at low, mid, high and alpine
hills for development of cultural practices and commercial exploration
of these species.
G) Beekeeping:
Honey Bees are known for honey as well as an effective
pollinizers of Crops and are known to increase crop production. Most
of the horticultural crops such as large Cardamom many kinds of vegetables
are cross pollinated crops. In such crops pollination is done by the
bees. Under this scheme Beekeeping will be started in various farms
for colony multliplication and distribution to the horticulture crop
growers.
H) Organic Farming:
There is a good scope of production of organically
grown food products provided the market of such products are explored.
Under this schemes efforts will be made to explore commercial production
and marketing of such organic horticultural products, fruits vegetables
and spices.
IV) HORTICULTURAL CROP INSURANCE:
Horticultural Crop insurance scheme has been introduced
from the Rabi season of 2001-02. The crops selected in the first phase
are Ginger and Potato. In due course of time other crops will also
taken up of insurance coverage. To provide insurance subsidy provision
is a must during the Xth Plan. This is a new scheme and a provision
of Rs 20.00 lakh has been proposed for Xth Plan and Rs 4.00 lakh for
annual Plan 2002-03.
V. CREATING VITAL LINKAGES FOR PERISHABLE HORTICULTURE
PRODUCE POST HARVEST HANDLING CONTROLLED ATOMOSPHERE COLD CHAINSTORAGE,
MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION.\
Vital Linkages of Post-harvest Cold Chain (Controlled
atmosphere storages). Marketing Infrastructure and distribution is
the weakest linkage in Horticulture Development. Major quantities
of horticultural crops are lost after harvest, especially during handling
from producers to consumers due to improper handling. These losses,
which are both quantitative and qualitative, are estimated to be as
high as 50% in most of the developing countries, and estimated to
37% and works out to the tune of Rs 25,000 crores in India. These
losses are more than 50% in Sikkim attributed mainly due to its geographical
location, high rainfall condition, lack of suitable variety for off-season
cultivation and are very important from the stand point of human health,
economy and ecology. These losses should not only be considered as
nutritional losses, but also losses in land used for cultivation,
energy used fertilizers, chemicals, irrigation water, labour force,
etc. and above all economic benefits. The increase in yield and productivity
is lagging significantly behind the increase in population and the
nutritional need in the State. Therefore reduction in post-harvest
losses should be considered as a strategic requirement in the State.
In view of the above facts, for post-harvest handling,
transport, storage and distribution of perishable horticultural crops,
Providing Vital Linkages of Cold Chain that is Controlled Atmosphere
Storages at all the Rural/Apni Mandies, Wholesale Markets and Transport
vehicles are essential. But there is no single such cold storage available
in the entire Eastern India so far.
During the IXth Plan Market Regulated Act was enforced.
Wholesale market at Rangpo with the existing old structure was started.
Regular operation of marketing of horticultural crops through Cooperatives
and Commodity Grower Societies are being tried with limited success
because of the absence of such Vital Linkages necessary for handling
perishable horticultural crops. Strategy adopted for post harvest
and marketing are:
i) Establishment of wholesale Markets, primary markets
and rural Market/Apna Mandies with the assistance of Government of
India for which 50% of the cost of such establishment has to be kept
in the Xth Plan of the State Government. The Market Committees have
no resources to provide 50% fund required for the establishment of
Wholesale and Apni Mandies in Sikkim. No entrepreneur is willing to
establish C.A. (Controlled Atmosphere Cold Storage) as the banks are
not willing to finance in Sikkim due to existing Lazed Laws;
ii) Establishment of Agriculture Export Zone (AEZ)
for Large Cardamom and Ginger, Floriculture and Cherry Pepper APEDA,
Commerce Ministry, and Spices Board, is on top priority Feasibility
study prepared by IDFC and Natural Synergies Chennai has been Submitted
to APEDA for Consideration:
(v) Establishing linkage infrastructures such as
cold – storage, cold chain, packaging industry etc. for cut flower
export to metro – cities.
As stated in the "Sikkim the people’s Vision"
"marketing is one of the weakest links in the value chain for
horticulture. Farmers cooperatives have so far played hardly and role
in disseminating information on markets and prices or in helping farmers
market produce there are no functioning cold storages or wholesale
markets. Un-organized Farmers, especially in the interior regions,
are largely dependent on Unionized middlemen both for credit and market
outlets. This sums up the vivid picture of horticulture marketing
in the state.
With the implementation of technology mission for
integrated Horticulture Development in NE states including Sikkim
– the Department has submitted a proposal for establishment of two
wholesale markets one at Rangpo and another at Melli with 14 (founteen)
Apna Mandies/primary markets, and one quality, control state Gradling
Laboratory. The total project costs is about Rs 15.00 crores to be
shared by central (Government of India) and State Government on 50:50
basis. The primary rural markets will be established each at Dikchu,
Jorethang, Temi, Ravangla, Namchi, Ranipool, Pakyong, Singtam, Rongli,
Sombaria, Soreng, Reshi, Dentam, and Legship and will form as feeder
markets for whole sale markets at Rangpo and Melli.
Hence, to establish these markets the Department
proposes to provide budget provision of Rs 7.50 crores in the Xth
Plan as state share of Rs 15.00 crores (50:50 basis) and Rs 100.00
lakh of annual Plan 2002-03. Unless this provision is made in the
state plan budget the Market Committees in the state will not be able
to establish Wholesale Markets and Apni Mandies and utilize the fund
provided to the State because of unavailability of back-ended subsidy
to the entrepreneurs.
VI. EQUITY FUND FOR HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY:
In order to encourage entrepreneurs coming up in
various Horticultural entrepreneurship such as in Floriculture, processing
ginger, cardamom fruits, Cherry Pepper for AEZ programmes equity fund
for participation has become essential. For this equity fund has been
projected to support Horticulture Industry to a tune of Rs 1000.00
lakh during the Xth Plan and Rs 300.00 lakh for annual Plan 2002-03.
This is a new scheme proposed for the Xth Plan for the State. Encouraging
investors, providing Equity Funds as Venture Capital to promote establishment
of export quality productions processing etc. is essential for the
projects which has been started during the terminal year of the IXth
Plan. Such equity holdings can be disposed of after the project becomes
commercially viable.
A number of Private Entrepreneurs are approaching
the Department to establish Horticulture Industry. For example Sikkim
Himalayan Orchid Ltd. Has already started the work at Gaucharan Farm.
East District for Production and Export of Cymbidium out flowers with
collaboration with Horticulture Department. Government of Sikkim.
It is a two crore project and the department’s participation is the
land and Rs 25.00 lakh as Equity participation. Out of this the Department
has paid only Rs 9.00 lakh so far. Rest of Rs 16.00 lakh has to be
paid from the next plan budget. Similarly a number of investors are
approaching to us. Hence, for providing Equity Participation of the
State Government a provision of at least Rs 1.00 crore has been made
under this scheme.
VII. PROCESSING AND VALUE ADDITION:
Processing and value addition of Horticultural Crops
is another weakest linkage of horticultural development. The existing
only one fruit-processing factory of Singtam was sick till recently.
It has just awaken and have a ray of hope to cater the need of the
farmers. It needs strengthening and support by the Industries.
The existing Singtam Fruit preservation factory needs
strengthening to fully utilize the horticultural produce of Sikkim.
Further value addition projects prepared by CFTRI. Mysore is ready
for Entrepreneurs, Ginger, Cardamom, Turmeric, Off-season vegetable,
and fruits are surplus of Sikkim today. Processing of these surpluses
for value addition is the priority under this scheme. During 2001-02
alone about 3.00 lakh number of passion fruit seedlings has been distributed
to the farmers. Passion fruit comes into bearing in the second year
only. The State has to be prepared to handle the huge quantity of
passion fruit which will be produced during the early tenth plan.
Providing equity participation/fund for establishment/strengthening
is essential in the Xth Plan. For this minimum of Rs 1.00 crore proposed
under Equity Fund will take care of this scheme.
Implementation Schedules:
In Sikkim Hills cropping season is mainly Kharif
and Rabi Seasons. Implementation of Kharif crops and evergreen plantation
crops sarts from February and ends by August while that of Rabi and
deciduous plant’s plantation starts in August-September and end by
January-February. However in the Hills Off-season crops are gown throughout
the year.
All the development schemes are implemented from
the four Districts and nine Subdivisions and 79 Horticulture Circles
in Sikkim, involving NGOs. Progressive Farmers, Nurseryman, and farmers
in general preferably through growers associations/Societies on co-operative
basis.
Monitoring and evaluation:
Monitoring of the schemes are done in the Sub-divisional
level and District level once in every month through monthly workshops
and on quarterly basis at the state level in the Directorate, Evaluation
of the schemes are done only once in a year through annual workshop
in the Directorate at the end of Financial Year.
Involvement of NGOs, progressive farmers, nurseryman
and farmers in general are done in all the schemes to be implemented
in the farmers field. However production of quality planting materials
and seeds in Government farms are done at the Govt. level only.
Employment Generation:
During the Xth Plan it is estimated to generate 102.113
lakh mandays of employment, and during the Annual Plan 2002-03 about
17,334 lakh mandays under the Horticulture Sector in Sikkim.
Summary of the Budget (in lakhs):
|
Budget
|
Xth Plan
(2002-07)
|
Annual Plan
(2002-03)
|
|
(I) Plan
|
|
|
|
Horticulture Crop Husbandry:
|
|
|
|
Direction and administration
|
250.00
|
47.50
|
|
Horticulture Farms
|
300.00
|
80.60
|
|
Plant Protection/IPM
|
50.00
|
1.50
|
|
Commercial Crops
|
500.00
|
27.50
|
|
Extension 7 Farmers’ Training
|
100.00
|
6.75
|
|
Organic Farming & Micro-Organism
|
50.00
|
1.00
|
|
Floriculture
|
380.00
|
24.30
|
|
Fruits
|
400.00
|
12.60
|
|
Progeny Orchards
|
250.00
|
66.25
|
|
Vegetables
|
250.00
|
4.00
|
|
Horticulture Crop Insurance
|
20.00
|
3.00
|
|
Horticulture Investment
|
800.00
|
20.00
|
|
Externally Aided Project
|
|
100.00
|
|
Total Horticulture Crop production
|
3,500.00
|
395.00
|
|
Agriculture Research & Education (Hort.)
|
150.00
|
2.00
|
|
Agriculture Marketing
|
900.00
|
40.00
|
|
Total Plan
|
4550.00
|
437.00
|
|
Non-Plan
|
|
365.45
|
|
Technology Mission for I.D. Hort.
|
-
|
870.00
|
|
Indo-Swiss Project
|
-
|
20.84
|
|
Aus-Aid Project
|
-
|
37.50
|
|
Grand Total
|
4550.00
|
1730.79
|
|
