The Department of Science and Technology, Government of Sikkim, organized a stakeholder consultation workshop at Vigyan Bhawan, Deorali, focused on developing disease-tolerant large cardamom varieties. The event, chaired by Minister Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, aimed to gather feedback on the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for revitalizing large cardamom production in the state. Minister Lepcha emphasized the significant decline in large cardamom production and its adverse impact on the village economy. He highlighted the importance of large cardamom as a niche, high-value crop for Sikkim and praised the collaboration between the Horticulture Department, ICAR, Spices Board, and Sikkim University in addressing this critical issue.
Dr. Sandeep Tambe, IFS, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, stressed the urgent need to provide farmers with a solution to combat the large cardamom epidemic in Sikkim. The DPR, presented by Dr. K.B. Subba, outlined a strategy to develop disease-tolerant crossbreeds through a large-scale participatory breeding experiment involving research agencies, departments, and farmers. The approach focuses on crossbreeding various cultivars, ecotypes, and disease escape lines to identify elite plants.
Tilak Gazmer, Secretary of the Horticulture Department, lauded the project’s use of plant genetic resources to combat disease and assured full support and cooperation from the Horticulture Department in this initiative.
