Farm Fest!

STATE AGRI-HORTI SHOW 2014
GANGTOK, 20 Jan: The two-day State Agri-Horti Show 2014 was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at Saramsa Garden on Saturday. The show is being organized by the Agriculture Development & Food Security and Cash Crops Development Department.
After inaugurating the show, the CM inspected the stalls of different agricultural and horticultural produce and flowers in competition and non-competition categories and interacted with farmers.
In his inaugural address, the CM expressed that many people think agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry sectors are low class jobs and stay away from these. Here he stated that even the UNO has now placed these sectors above all others. He encouraged people to work in these sectors and not feel inferior in any way as humanity depends on these sectors.
Speaking on the importance and benefits of organic farming, the CM urged the people to support and cooperate for the success of the mission to make Sikkim an organic state by 2015. He added that organic certification would increase the demand for the state’s produce, thereby the profits which would make this profession more attractive. He also announced that the success of the organic mission will be followed by the next mission of ‘off-season cultivation’ in the state.
Assuring farmers not to worry about marketing, Mr Chamling said that Sikkim now has a readymade market for the state’s produce. The state government has been providing price support to producers to ensure that farmers do not suffer any loss, he added.
Here he stated that the government would continue to give price support to farmers to save them from any loss. He further announced to provide plowing machines to farmers and all other support and inputs. He also announced that the government would provide more support to hardworking and progressive farmers.
“I have worked for long 20 years to transform the state and now the people have to realize this since they are witnessing the development in all sectors,” he added. He urged people to preserve the development and progress of the state.
Agriculture and Horticulture Minister, DN Takarpa stated that the main objective of the two-day show is to provide a platform to showcase agriculture and horticulture development and also to provide an opportunity to farmers to exhibit their produce and to exchange ideas.
The inaugural function started with the welcome address by Agriculture Secretary, Phetuk Tshering Bhutia and concluded with the vote of thanks by Horticulture Secretary, DK Rai.
Director Horticulture, PT Bhutia also gave a presentation on the development of agriculture and horticulture in the state. The CM also released two books of the department during the programme.