Union Agri Minister inaugurates CAEPHT North Block

GANGTOK, 01 Dec: Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar inaugurated the newly constructed North Academic Block of the College of Agriculture Engineering and Post-Harvest Technology [CAEPHT] near Ranipool in Sikkim on30 November. He was accompanied by Governor Shriniwas Patil, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and a host of other dignitaries.
CAEPHT was established in 2006 with the objective of addressing issues like shortage of trained human resource in the discipline of agricultural engineering, promotion of farm mechanization and adoption of improved post-harvest technologies, quality production of value added products through processing effective utilization of natural resources including renewable sources of energy and creation of agro-industries in the region.
During the inaugural function, Mr. Pawar emphasized the need for adequate and appropriate post harvest infrastructure in NE Region.  Deliberations during the two-day North East conference of Agriculture and Horticulture Ministers have highlighted various issues related to the up-gradation of scientific technology to cater to the needs of the people, he said.  
The Union Minister, who has been in Sikkim for the past four days, said that one of the challenges before agriculture scientists is fulfilling the need of production and supply of organic inputs to enterprising farmers in states like Sikkim. As a college of agricultural engineering, it is the responsibility of this institution to design and develop modified tools, equipments and machinery suitable for this region, which are also women-friendly and reduces drudgery.
The Minister expressed hope that the college will take the responsibility of providing engineering based intervention for development of the animal husbandry, dairying and fishery sector.
“We would like to see a synergy between the existing engineering and post harvest technology college and the proposed Horticulture College in Sikkim to provide excellent opportunities for the students of both colleges”, said the Minister while appreciating the role of the Central Agriculture University in the development of agriculture  in the North East.
“India is today the highest producer of milk, pulses, jute and second in the production of rice, wheat, sugarcane, groundnuts, vegetable foods and cotton in the world. It is also the leading producer of spices and plantation crops as well as livestock, fisheries and poultry. India is thus emerging as a major player in the international market. The credit for this goes to the farming community, scientists, technologists and the state governments”, he added.
While complimenting the Agriculture University, Mr. Pawar expressed hope that the college will put its best efforts to maintain high standards of education and emerge as a Centre of Excellence and will prove its utility in helping the state and farmers of Sikkim and other NEH states to bring rapid development in agriculture.
The Governor in his address said that the role of agricultural engineering students is imperative to improve the level of farm mechanization and to create infrastructure for localized value productivity addition and post-harvest management as well as to establish need based agro-industries for the development of the entire region. The Governor also mentioned about the upcoming Horticulture College in the state and urged the State Government to expedite the process.
The Chief Minister said, “The State Government is promoting traditional system of organic farming together with modern technologies to augment our production levels. Process of organic certification of our land is going on together with extensive training for our farmers and officials. We are also building up awareness programmes across the State among all the stakeholders to increasingly use organic manure only in our farm land. Our goal is to be fully organic by 2015”.