Agriculture Department Namchi Organises Awareness and Distribution Program for Micro Irrigation System under PMKSY

The event had the presence of Mr. Nar Bdr. Pradhan, MLA Melli Constituency. Also in attendance were Ms. Nirmala Moktan, Additional Director Agriculture Department Namchi, Mr. Wangyal Lepcha, Deputy Director Agriculture Department Namchi, Ms. Meena Sharma, Agriculture Development Officer Namchi, Mr. L.B. Pradhan, Block Development Officer Sumbuk, Mr. Pencho Lepcha, Panchayat President GPK Lungchok-Kamarey, along with Panchayat members, agriculture department staff, and local farmers.

The program commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Wangyal Lepcha, Deputy Director Agriculture, who provided an overview of the initiative.

Mr N B Pradhan MLA in his address congratulated the 204 beneficiaries selected to receive micro irrigation systems under PMKSY. He urged the farmers to fully dedicate themselves to agricultural practices, making the most of the benefits provided under the scheme.

Highlighting the importance of traditional farming methods, the MLA expressed concern over the declining interest in agriculture, especially among the youth, who tend to pursue employment in other sectors. He encouraged young people to explore self-employment opportunities in agriculture and related fields, citing various government subsidies, such as khadi loans, MSME loans, other various loans which could offer a more sustainable future than government jobs. He also assured his support to anyone willing to embrace the opportunities in agriculture .

Further, MLA emphasised the importance of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and warned their executives against any misconduct, stressing that FPOs should operate in the best interests of farmers. He urged farmers to market their produce through FPOs to benefit from government incentives. The MLA also mentioned ongoing developmental projects in the region, emphasising the potential for tourism growth.

Mrs Nirmala Moktan, Additional Director, provided a comprehensive overview of several government schemes available for farmers, including the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Soil Health Card, Kisan Credit Card, among others. She reiterated the significance of these schemes in supporting and empowering farmers.

Mr Pencho Lepcha Panchayat President urged the beneficiaries to utilise the resources wisely, stating that positive results from these schemes would help secure more developmental projects in the future. He also raised concerns regarding the reluctance of some farmers to submit necessary documents, emphasising that proper documentation is crucial for receiving the benefits of these government schemes.

Furthermore, MLA distributed Sintex tanks and other MI System equipment to the beneficiaries. The program concluded with a live demonstration of the micro irrigation system at a local farmer’s field, showcasing its practical application and benefits.