ICAR and NIRDPR Jointly Organises Training for 29 Krishi Sakhis from Sikkim to Promote Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods

In a significant initiative to strengthen grassroots agricultural extension and promote sustainable rural livelihoods in the North Eastern Hill region, a five-day training programme for 29 Krishi Sakhis from Sikkim successfully concluded at the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya. The programme was jointly organised by the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, and the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj – North Eastern Regional Centre (NIRDPR-NERC), Guwahati.

The training aimed at enhancing the technical knowledge, practical skills and leadership capabilities of Krishi Sakhis, who play an important role in connecting agricultural research and technologies with farming communities, particularly smallholder farmers in rural and remote areas.

During the five-day programme, participants attended interactive technical sessions, practical demonstrations and field exposures covering various aspects of sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture. The major topics included soil health and fertility management, natural farming and preparation of bio-inputs, resource recycling through vermicomposting and mushroom cultivation, and integrated pest and disease management using safe and eco-friendly practices. The training also highlighted integrated farming and livelihood models combining crop production with livestock management to enhance farm productivity, income and sustainability.

Emphasis was also laid on the role of Krishi Sakhis as community resource persons and grassroots extension workers. In addition to technical knowledge, the programme focused on developing their communication, leadership and community mobilisation skills to enable them to act as peer educators and disseminate improved agricultural practices among farming households in their respective villages.

The programme provided an opportunity for the participants to gain practical insights into sustainable farming technologies and livelihood-oriented interventions that can be adapted to local farming conditions. It is expected that the trained Krishi Sakhis will further share their knowledge and skills with farming communities in Sikkim, contributing to improved agricultural practices, livelihood diversification and climate-resilient rural development.

The initiative reflects the collaborative efforts of ICAR and NIRDPR towards strengthening community-based agricultural extension, empowering rural women and promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities across the North Eastern region.

(Source: ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam)