KVK East Sikkim’s scientific advisory committee meets

GANGTOK, 10 Dec: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR Sikkim Centre, organised its first Scientific Advisory Committee meeting for the year 2013-14 at its campus here at Ranipool today. The meeting was chaired by Dr. RK Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex, Sikkim Centre, an official press release informs.
Dr. Avasthe, in his remarks, emphasised the Seed Village concept and establishment of marketing networks to solve farmer problems at the grassroots level. He strongly advocated Asset Based Community Development approach (ABCD) for sustainable developement of farming community.
Dr. Nayan Rai, Director (Vety Services), Deptt. of Animal Husbandry, was present as chief guest accompanied by NT Bhutia, Addl. Director (Agriculture), as guest of honour along with the 20 statutory SAC members from different line departments, ATMA, East Sikkim; NRC for Orchids, Pakyong; NABARD, Gangtok; CAE&PHT, CAU, Ranipool and Doordarshan Kendra, Gangtok.
Farmer representatives Umakant Sharma, Panchayat President, Upper Nandok; Kailash Rana Mangar, State award winning farmer from Saramsa, Vivek Cintury, emerging Agri-preneur from Mazitar, Manmaya Sharma, from Sirwani and Maya Bhutia from Sajong attended the programme as honorary members.
Dr. Avasthe briefed the meeting on the importance of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the formulation of strategic action plan for KVK for the agricultural development of the East district keeping in mind the current status and future prospects of the organic agriculture in the state.
Dr. Mohanty detailed the Action Taken Report and tabled the Progress Report of KVK, East Sikkim for the period from April to November 2013.
The members shared observations and offered suggestions for the development of farming and farmer community which gave a road map for formulating an effective and easily deliverable action plan for the coming year.