Namchi,Sikkim
18 October 2025

Crop Cutting Experiment (CCE) was successfully conducted today at Melli Dara Agriculture Farm for the VL Soya-89 (Glycine max) Foundation seed production plot. This marks an important milestone under the ongoing Seed Production Programme of the Department of Agriculture, aimed at ensuring genetic purity and maintaining the high-quality standards of soybean varieties cultivated in Sikkim.
The crop, presently at its harvest maturity stage, exhibited desirable agronomic traits such as uniform pod filling, synchronized maturity, and excellent seed size — all indicators of successful breeder seed maintenance through scientific field management practices.

A comprehensive field inspection was also carried out by Seed Inspectors in compliance with the prescribed norms for digital documentation under the SATHI (Seed Authentication, Traceability and Harmonization Interface) Portal, ensuring transparency, traceability, and quality assurance in seed production.

The inspection and CCE were graced by Mr. Wangyal Lepcha, Deputy Director of Agriculture, who is also a Plant Breeder (M.Sc. Genetics & Plant Breeding). In his remarks, he highlighted the pivotal role of breeder seed production as the genetic foundation for the seed multiplication chain, ensuring that farmers receive genetically pure, high-yielding, and climate-resilient seed materials.

Also present were Ms. Nikam Tamang, Agriculture Development Officer (ADO), Namchi, and a Seed Science Specialist, who emphasized the importance of maintaining varietal purity through proper isolation distance, timely rouging, and scientific post-harvest seed handling techniques.

The field team comprised Mr. Ritesh Rai, Seed Inspector, along with Mr. Bunty Lama, Farm In-Charge, and Ms. Pritika Rai, representing the dedicated Agriculture & Horticulture Farm staff who have contributed significantly to the successful implementation of the breeder seed programme.

The Department expressed its sincere appreciation to the Field Crops Section of the Department of Agriculture for their vision, technical guidance, and continuous initiative in strengthening the scientific base of seed production in the state. Their expertise has been instrumental in promoting seed quality enhancement and ensuring long-term sustainability of the programme.

The Department reaffirmed its commitment to advancing scientific seed production protocols, enhancing seed self-sufficiency, and empowering farmers through quality seed dissemination and capacity-building initiatives.