1. ORGANIC SIKKIM

2.  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

3. V ERMICOMPOST U NIT

4. P ACKAGING OF V ERMI COMPOST FOR SALE

5.  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

6. A ZOLLA P OND

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

8. 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--4947 2. East669812319 3. South-163911832 4. West3316318781 Total 3972368378793789 DISTRICT WISE PROGRESS REPORT OF SOIL TESTING LABORATORY AND DISTRIBUTION OF HEALTH CARDS DURING 2013 – 2014

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

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

14. Available Iron % (Percentage) Rating 4.5 – 25 3.7 Sufficient 25 – 50 22.2 50 – 100 67.5 100 – 200 6.6 Total100 6.Available Iron status

15. Available Manganese % (Percentage) Rating<3.58.1Deficient 3.5 – 7.0 9.9 Sufficient 7.0 – 25 60.1 25 – 50 20.3 50 – 100 1.6 Total100 7.Available Manganese status

16. Available Zinc % (Percentage) Rating<0.613.3Deficient 0.6 – 1.2 11.3 Sufficient 1.2 – 3.0 32.1 3.0 – 5.0 22.0 > 5.0 21.3 Total100 8.Available Zinc status

17. Available Copper % (Percentage) Rating < 0.2 6.2Deficient 0.2 – 0.4 2.6 Sufficient 0.4 – 1.0 14.0 1.0 – 2.0 33.7 2.0 – 4.0 32.8 >4.010.7 Total100 9.Available Copper status:

18.  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.

19. INM D EMONSTRATION IN O RGANIC M AIZE FIELD

20. INM IN R ICE

21. 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 liming @ 1.5 to 2 tons per hectare is needed to neutralize the soil acidity of the state.

22.  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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

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

26. R ICE CULTIVATION IN B ENCH T ERRACES

27. THANK YOU