Awareness cum Distribution Program at 09 Barfung

Present amongst others were Area MLA Mr. T. T. Bhutia, Chairman Farmers Welfare Board Mr. Phurden Lepcha, Principal Director (Horticulture Department) Mr. S. K. Tamang, Director cum District Coordinator (AH/VS) Dr. Mala Bajgai, Director (Agriculture Department) Mr. Tilak Gajmer, Credit Linkage Consultant Mr. Pradeep Bhandari as resource persons. They were accompanied by concerned officials from the department and public at large.

Addressing, the gathering Minister Mr. Lok Nath Sharma said that the a farm implements has been provided with the objective of increasing agricultural productivity in the area. He added that farmers should make use of these assistances and boost the agricultural yields.

He further articulated that State Government has now elevated the agricultural and its allied sectors to greater heights, price support scheme has been extended to an array of crops, fruits and vegetables such as Large Cardamom, Ginger, Turmeric Buckwheat, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kiwi and many more. Similar, impetus are being extended to Dairy and Piggery Scheme . In Pig Production Incentive Scheme (PPIS) a farmer needs to have at least three pigs. Once the pigs grow to above 50 kg in weight each, the farmer will receive a cash incentive of Rs. 5000 per pig from the government. The focus of this piggery incentive is in providing farmers more income from off-farm activities.

The Minister also highlighted about the various modern farming initiatives of the State Government such as Hydroponics, Aquaponics and Rooftop farming and that of Mukhya Mantri Matsya Utpadan Yojana (MMMUY). Moreover, he asserted that the farmers of this locality should take up Trout and Ornamental fish farming and informed that some farmers will also get a fish tank from the department to assist them in practicing the fish farming sector. Furthermore, he appraised that the department is also distributing seeds, agricultural drone spray for aerial spraying purpose covering one acre of cultivated land and other materials and machinery for the betterment of the farmers.

Speaking during the program Area MLA Mr. . Bhutia congratulated the beneficaries of the constituency in procuring the agricultural inputs and urged the attendees to utilize these products to its fullest capabilities.

Resource Persons from AH&VS, Agriculture and Horticulture departments concured the various schemes, incentives and other facilities available with the department for the upgradation of the farmers at large. They spoke about the Porcine reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), a viral disease affecting domestic pigs and how an advisory has already been issued from the department temporarly prohibiting the entry of swine and pork into the state. Schemes, such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, Mukya Mantri Aatma Nirbar Yojna, National Bamboo Mission and other projects such as post harvest management, vermi compose and soil health insurance were also elucidated in detail by the resource persons. They also mentioned that Sikkim will soon start cultivation of saffron – the most expensive spice available.

During, the course of the program staff of Agriculture Department were also felicitated, they are namely (Agriculture Inspector’s) Ms. Pinky Bhutia and Ms. Kinzang Yankee Bhutia as well as Village Level Worker Ms. Pratima Rai. Likewise, Credit Linkage Consultant Mr. Pradeep Bhandari was also honoured.

At, the outset the Minister also inaugurated an SAGY house of Mrs. Radhika Gurung and handed over SGAY house keys to a total of 24 recipients.