Workshop cum trainees’ training on organic farming in Namchi

NAMCHI, 29 Oct: Workshop cum trainees’ training on organic farming for field level officers and staffs was conducted at DAC conference hall, Namchi on Monday. The workshop was organized by Sikkim Organic Mission (SOM) in collaboration with Horticulture and Cash Crop Development Department, Namchi.
The workshop was attended by trainees from South District working under Agriculture, Horticulture and Soil Conservation, and this one-day workshop was addressed by consultants from Sikkim Organic Mission namely D Tenzing Bhutia [Joint Director SOM], MK Pradhan [Additional Executive Director SOM], Dhananjay Tiwari through power point presentation on the policy of State Government which started from the year 2003 to make Sikkim an organic state by 2015.
In the power point presentation they also highlighted the aims and objectives and the advantages of organic farming. During the presentation the trainees were directed to help farmers in implementing the policy as well as in understanding the organic mission after attending the training. Some of the areas which have not been certified as organic should be given support and cooperation so that they too would be certified as organic before 2015. This should be initiated by discontinuing the use of inorganic fertilizers and manures while at the same time hybrid organic seed production should start in Sikkim so that Sikkim need not depend on imported hybrid seeds, it was stated.
The training also stressed on the use of organic manure production like rural compost, vermi-compost along with initiation of other practices among the farmers so that they can replace the use of inorganic materials with these organic manures as a part of the organic mission.
The Director Horticulture, Khorlo Bhutia who was the main resource person mentioned that in the entire nation, the Sikkim Government has started its mission towards becoming the first and completely organic state in the country and for this everyone involved should join hands to reach the goal.
He also mentioned that when it comes to marketing of organic products farmers will not face problems as SIMFED has been providing the market for every product. He further informed that in January 2014 a grand Krishi Mela will be organized in the state which will be attended by Union Minister Sharad Pawar.
The training session was also addressed by SDM HQ, Karma Bonpo, who said that it is not only the responsibility of the concerned department but it is a collective responsibility of all in the state to make Sikkim an organic state. He also assured support from the District Administration with regard to curbing the use of inorganic fertilizers and manures along  with other necessary help.