ORGANIC SIKKIM

 Since the State has been declared as Organic State in 2003, use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides have been discouraged  on-farm and off-farm inputs such as; Vermi-compost Enriched Rural compost Integrated nutrient management Bio-fertilizers Green manure Azolla Liming of the acidic soil Micro nutrients

V ERMICOMPOST U NIT

P ACKAGING OF V ERMI COMPOST FOR SALE

 Bio-fertilizers being used to supplement crops: Azolla, Blue green algae, rhizobium, Azotobactor, Azospirillium, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria  Soil testing and issuing of soil health card to all the farmers  Static soil testing laboratory in all the districts  2 mobile soil testing laboratory vehicle equipped with latest instruments are operational

A ZOLLA P OND

I MPROVED R URAL C OMPOST - CUM -U RINE P IT

Sl.no Distric t Total sample received(Mar ch) Sample analyzed(Mar ch) Cumulati ve sample analyzed Health card issued(Marc h) Cumulative soil health card issued 1. North East South West Total DISTRICT WISE PROGRESS REPORT OF SOIL TESTING LABORATORY AND DISTRIBUTION OF HEALTH CARDS DURING 2013 – 2014

Soil reaction % (Percentage) Extremely acidic(pH < 4.5) 14.9 Very strongly acidic (pH 4.6 – 5.0) 29.4 Strongly acidic(pH 5.6 – 5.5 ) 28.7 Moderately acidic (pH 5.6 – 6.0) 18.3 Slightly acidic (pH 6.1 – 6.5) 6.5 Neutral (pH 6.6 – 7.3) 2.2 Total100 1.Soils under different reaction classes: SOIL ACIDITY AND FERTILITY STATUS OF SIKKIM

Organic carbon (%) % (Percentage) Low(below 0.75%) 3.4 Medium (0.75 – 1.50 %) 9.8 High (above 1.50%) 86.8 Total100 2.Organic carbon status

Available Nitrogen (kg haˉ ¹) % (Percentage) Low (below 280) 16.1 Medium (280 – 560) 76.0 High (above 560) 7.9 Total100 3.Available Nitrogen status

Available Phosphorous (kg haˉ ¹) % (Percentage) Low (below 34) 5.8 Medium ( ) 12.1 High (above 68) 82.1 Total100 4.Available Phosphorous status

Available Potassium (kg haˉ ¹) % (Percentage) Low (below 135) 8.3 Medium ( ) 27.8 High (above 335) 63.9 Total100 5.Available Potassium

Available Iron % (Percentage) Rating 4.5 – Sufficient 25 – – – Total100 6.Available Iron status

Available Manganese % (Percentage) Rating<3.58.1Deficient 3.5 – Sufficient 7.0 – – – Total100 7.Available Manganese status

Available Zinc % (Percentage) Rating< Deficient 0.6 – Sufficient 1.2 – – > Total100 8.Available Zinc status

Available Copper % (Percentage) Rating < Deficient 0.2 – Sufficient 0.4 – – – > Total100 9.Available Copper status:

 The above data shows that in Sikkim nearly 73% of cultivated area is under strongly to extremely acidic in soil reaction.  91% cultivated area under low to medium in Nitrogen content .However Organic carbon, Phosphorous and Potassium content are medium to high.  The deficient micro-nutrients are Zinc, copper and manganese.

INM D EMONSTRATION IN O RGANIC M AIZE FIELD

INM IN R ICE

SOIL REACTION (Ph) AND ITS RECLAMATION  Due to high rainfall in the state which causes downward leaching of bases resulting in soil acidity.  The state has strongly to extremely acidic soil with pH ranging from 5.5 to < 4.5 in about 73% cultivated area.  The acidic soil needs to be reclaimed with liming materials like dolomite for improving the structure, uptake of plant nutrient and moisture retention capacity.  Hence 1.5 to 2 tons per hectare is needed to neutralize the soil acidity of the state.

 Locally available plant species are used to prepare concoctions for using as bio-pesticides in addition to the use of bio-control agents and other Integrated Pest Management tools along with conservation of natural enemies through non-use of chemicals and crop rotation.

IPM STRATEGY  Non-use of synthetic pesticides has led to conservation of Natural Enemies. Augmentation is done through innundative release of Trichogramma.  For Integrated Disease Management, Trichoderma is used extensively in addition to restricted use of the copper compounds.  Neem products are also popular in addition to use of cow urine and other herbal extracts.

C ONTINUATION OF WITHDRAWN SUBSIDY FOR O RGANIC F ARMING  Discouraging of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides has led discontinuation of subsidy to the State.  In lieu, the subsidy component may be extended/continued to the State for other alternative inputs such as bio-fertilizers, organic manure and bio- pesticides.  Such an arrangement would provide a major thrust to the on-going efforts in improving soil fertility status and for enhancing productivity and in the sustainable development of the State.

M ODEL O RGANIC I NPUT P RODUCTION D EMONSTRATION F ARM

R ICE CULTIVATION IN B ENCH T ERRACES

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