Sikkim is endowed with fertile land, making it highly suitable for agriculture. Even the climatic condition and topography of the state support agriculture. The economy of the state is mostly agrarian with more than 80% of the people employed in this sector. Sikkim is the first state in the world to achieve 100% organic farming. It is the leading cardamom manufacturer in India. However, given Sikkim’s potential for agriculture, a number of crops still remain underutilized because of the lack of nutritional and economical value. Here’s a look at the crops that can grow in Sikkim Agriculture which will be beneficial for the farmers there.
1. Passion Fruit
Passion fruit is a perennial climbing vine that produces round fruits. Their use is in a lot of preparations because of their nutritional properties. The juice has a delicious flavour, making it perfect for fruit juice. One can also blend it with other fruit products. It does well in tropical and subtropical climates.
2. Finger Millet
Finger Millet derives its name from the finger-like branching of the panicle. The dark brown seeds from it have a use for numerous preparations. The seeds are pounded and then powdered to prepare bread and pancakes. The local people use these seeds to prepare ‘Tonba’, a fermented drink. It has high nutritional value. The stalk can be used as fodder.
3. Soybean
Soybean is a type of legume belonging to the pea family that is native to Asia. One can treat it as an oilseed and a pulse crop. Among all pulses, it has the highest amount of protein content. Soybean is also the only pulse crop that has 20% of oil in the seed. It has a major use in the preparation of various products like soya milk, soya cheese, soya flecks, and soya biscuits as nuggets.
4. Mustard
Mustard is very popular in Indian cooking. This edible oil is mainly for cooking in India. Hence, it has a major use for preparing vegetables and curries. The leaves of young plants are for vegetable purposes. Its oil cake can be used for feeding cattle.
5. Tree Tomato
The tree tomato is called so because it closely resembles a tomato. Even though at first appearance it looks like a medium-sized tomato, it is not really a tomato. It was assigned the name ‘tamarillo’ in New Zealand in 1970. As it is quite high in pectin fibre, it has a major use in making chutneys, jams, and jellies. It has a number of health benefits too as it is rich in potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and antioxidants.
6. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a popular vegetable in India due to its high productivity, good storability, and nutritive value. It originated in Central America. One can use it to feed cattle. Its flesh can be boiled, baked, and fried and is delicious to eat. When it matures, you can use it to prepare candy, sweets, or ferments into beverages. Orange fleshy pumpkins load with carotene, which makes them rich in antioxidants.
7. Papaya
Papaya is a perennial herb that is quick-growing and can bear fruits for more than two decades. It is one of the most popular fruits in India for its mild sweetness and high nutritive and medicinal value. It is a very profitable crop with high yielding potential.
The crops listed above need to grow commercially on a large scale and have a wide trade. They are cultivated and traded locally but can be enhanced through greater awareness. They are easy to grow and have high nutritional value. Passing on the correct knowledge to the farmers can help in boosting the region’s economy.