ICAR Workshop on Big Cardamom

Gangtok,October08:

A day long DBT Interactive Workshop on “Management of pest and diseases of Large cardamom in North-East Region using potential bio-pesticides and Biotechnological approaches” was organized by ICAR, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok on 5th October.
The workshop aimed to address the problems of large cardamom cultivation in the region was inaugurated by Prof. S. N. Puri, Vice Chancellor, Central Agricultural University (CAU) Imphal, Manipur. Dr. Seema Wahab, Advisor, DBT, New Delhi, Dr. Opendra Koul, Director, IBRC, Jalandhar, Punjab and Shri. M L Arrawatia, Secretary, DST, Govt. of Sikkim, attended along with the scientists of ICAR, Indian Cardamom Research Institute and DBT, New Delhi and State officials.

Dr. H. Rahman, Joint Director, ICAR, welcomed the dignitaries and delegates and expressed his gratitude for giving ICAR an opportunity to conduct Workshop on the most pertinent issues. He expressed his concerned over the recession of production in Large Cardamom that pushed India to second position from leading producer. The decline in production may be attributed to the occurrence of diseases, poor management, poor pollination and climate change, he added. He said that the farming practices, inaccessibility of field and negligence further aggravate the decline syndrome.

Dr. Seema Wahab in her address put emphasis on the application of biotechnology in production of elite and disease-free planting materials. She told that DBT is always ready to finance need based research project that could bring viable technology for famers. She felt the need of a network project on Large Cardamom covering important aspects of production technology.

Dr. Opender Koul, Director, Insect Biopesticides Research Centre, Jalandhar, expressed spoke about the efficacy of bio-pesticides in managing pests and viral and fungal diseases. Bio-pesticides will only be effective, if they are used in right perspective, he added. He further emphasized the need of exploitation of bio-products, as these products are themselves library of chemicals.

Dr. M. L. Arrawatia, Secretary, DST, Govt. of Sikkim, emphasized the need of participatory approach in addressing the problems of large cardamom including value addition as it is one of the major sources of livelihood of farming community of Sikkim. He told that the Govt. of Sikkim was highly concerned about the decrease in the production and area of large cardamom, although state is taking up many measures.

Prof. Puri, Vice Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, expressed his dissent over the reduction in India’s share (32%) in world large cardamom production.