Perspective on Large Cardamom Cultivation and its Challenges in West Sikkim, India

Abstract

Sikkim is the smallest mountainous state in North-East India. Agriculture is the backbone of rural Sikkim. It contributes 16% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the State and supports more than 64% of the population. In 2015, Sikkim Organic Mission was launched, and the focus was shifted from subsistence to commercial agriculture. Farmers shifted their choice from food crop cultivation to large cardamom cultivation for high-profit making purposes. Presently, cardamom cultivation in West Sikkim suffers from challenges like maintaining the quality of the product and lack of scientific technique to tackle the situation.

Keywords

Large Cardamom, Commercial Agriculture, Sikkim, North-East India, India

Author Biography

Sushmita Chakraborty

Ms. Sushmita Chakraborty did her M.A. in Geography from The University of Burdwan, West Bengal. Presently, she is pursuing her PhD in department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, West Bengal.

Namita Chakma

Dr. Namita Chakma is working as an Assistant Professor in Geography, The University of Burdwan, West Bengal. Her research interest covers Geo-Environmental issues.

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