Horticulture Deptt distributes cash incentives to Rhenock farmers

GANGTOK, 24 Feb [IPR]: A programme for distribution of Cash Incentives to farmers was organised on 23 February by Horticulture & Cash Crops Development Department, Pakyong Sub-division at National Research Centre for Orchids, Pakyong for distribution of cash incentives to 52 farmers of Upper Dikling, Upper Padamchey, Damlakha and Mamzey under Rhenock Constituency.
Minister for Forest Environment & Wildlife and Tourism Departemnt was present on the occasion as the chief guest. Also present were Secretary, Horticulture, Vishal Chauhan, Director NRCO Pakyong, Officers from Horticulture & Cash Crops Development Department and Scientists from NRCO Pakyong.  The cash incentives were given away by the chief guest. In total, Rs. 3,39,600.00 was distributed to the beneficiaries.
The cash incentives were provided to the farmers to encourage production of traditional flowers like marigold during festival seasons and also to revive the production of local varieties. Training was imparted to farmers for scientific method of production of marigold.
The gathering was addressed by the chief guest who urged the farmers to take up floriculture on commercial scale to fulfill the demands created at various religious places. He further encouraged farmers to avail all the beneficial schemes provided by the State Government and tap the demands created by tourism industry for their income generation.
The Secretary Horticulture apprised the farmers about the benefit of production of Baby Corn, Sweet Corn and Pop Corn which are short duration crops as well as fetch remunerative prices. Marketing of these crops has been tied up with the Government Fruit Preservation Factory, Singtam.
He also asked the farmers to take up production of buck wheat and mustard during Rabi season. The Principal Director horticulture apprised about various schemes being implemented by Horticulture Department and asked the farmers to avail the benefit to the fullest. The Joint Director (Floriculture) informed the gathering in brief about the necessity and benefit of implementation of marigold production.