Sikkim’s Organic Farmer Makes a Name for Himself at International Forum
Gangtok, Sikkim – Pempa Tshering Lepcha, a farmer from Sikkim, has been awarded the FSRDA Best Farmer Award 2023-24 for his remarkable contribution to the development of the Integrated Organic Farming System (IOFS) model. The award was presented at the 1st International Farming Conference (IFSC 2025) held at ICAR-IIFSR, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, from March 7 to 9.
The conference, themed "Transforming Food, Land & Water Systems under Global Climate Change", brought together experts from across the globe to discuss the pressing issues affecting the agricultural sector. Lepcha’s work on the IOFS model, which integrates organic farming practices with sustainability and good returns, impressed the judges, who recognized his contributions as a game-changer in the field.
The award was presented to Lepcha by Dr. R.B. Singh (NAAS), Arvind Kumar (ICAR), Dr. Rajvir Singh (DDG-Agri. Extension), and Dr. Sunil Kumar (Director, IIFSR). Lepcha’s journey as an organic farmer began in 2015, when he started small-scale production and eventually transitioned to commercial-scale organic vegetable supply through established market channels. In 2021, he joined the ICAR, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) program, which is a joint initiative of the State Horticulture department.
Lepcha’s farming practices are a model for sustainable agriculture. He uses vermi composting and external foliar spray of seaweed extract to boost his organic production, diversifying his crops to include vegetables and high-value crops like ginger and large cardamom. His success has inspired young villagers to take up organic farming as a means to improve their livelihoods.
The ICAR, Sikkim Centre, has played a crucial role in supporting Lepcha’s venture, with key personnel like Dr. V.K. Mishra, Dr. S. Hazarika, Dr. R. Devadas, and Dr. Saurav Saha offering technical guidance. Lepcha expressed gratitude to the entire team for their support, acknowledging their role in his success. His achievement serves as a shining example of the potential of organic farming to revolutionize agriculture and improve the livelihoods of farmers.
Original Source: https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/dzongu-farmer-wins-fsrda-award
Category :
Tags:
Publish Date:
