The Sikkim agricultural department has started a project to encourage the growth of microgreens throughout the state, particularly in urban areas like Gangtok where land availability is restricted, as part of a strategic effort to improve urban agriculture and generate new employment options
The Sikkim agricultural department has started a campaign to encourage the production of microgreens throughout the state, particularly in urban areas like Gangtok where land availability is restricted, as part of a strategic effort to strengthen urban agriculture and generate new employment options.
To provide technical assistance for the initiative, the state has teamed up with North Bengal University’s (NBU) Centre of Floriculture and Agri-Business Management (Cofam). 150 officials from the agriculture department received training in the first phase on how to grow microgreens vertically and on terraces.
“Terrace farming offers urban areas a viable answer. Amarendra Kumar Pandey, a Cofam demonstrator, stated, “We want to promote the idea of ‘grow your own greens,’ especially in tourism-driven economies like Gangtok.” In Sikkim, microgreens—nutrient-rich immature vegetable seedlings—are becoming a viable urban agricultural option. These crops are perfect for terraces, polyhouses, and balconies because they take up little room and grow quickly. Training and farm setup are included in phase one of the program, while market connection and expansion will be the main focus of phase two. To increase revenue streams, value-added microgreen products like packaged salads and health blends are also being prioritized.
According to officials, microgreens are a logical choice for high-end, in-demand food services given Sikkim’s thriving hospitality and tourism industry. The Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) has trained Block Technology Managers (BTMs) and Assistant Technology Managers (ATMs) who will now serve as master trainers to disseminate knowledge about microgreen cultivation to rural farmers and young people without jobs, according to Yogesh Sharma, Joint Director of the Sikkim Agriculture Department.
