Large cardamom plantation to be developed under MGNREGA convergence prog

GANGTOK, 06 July: A daylong program on Large Cardamom Plantation in convergence with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme was held at Dalapchand, under Regu Gram Vikash Kendra. A press release informs that Horticulture and Cash Crop Development Department and Rural Management & Development Department were also involved in the program.
During the program today, ADC (Development) Pakyong, Roshni Rai informed the gathering of farmers that an agreement has been signed between two implementing departments RMDD and HCCD where the former will provide labor for land clearing, pit digging, planting and irrigation purposes while the HCCD will provide all inputs like organic manure training, seedlings and other technical support. She urged all the farmers to take advantage of the programme in order to increase their income.
Additional Director Horticulture N/E, DL Chettri in his address informed that this is the first such program being implemented in the area and that all required materials and technical knowhow would be provided to them by the two departments, the release mentions.
In order to increase the survival rate of large cardamom plants such facilities are being provided to the farmers, he added.
During the demonstration of large cardamom plantation at beneficiary, Mahendra Rai's farm, Joint Director Horticulture Pakyong , PL Basnett informed the farmers about the process of cardamom plantation like distance between plants and digging pits. He also informed about the maintenance of surrounding, trees, water management and the role of animals and insects for large cardamom plantation.
He demonstrated the method of planting seedlings for healthy and fruitful plantation and involved farmers in the plantation. He further told the farmers to be present while the MGNREGA labourers plant cardamom saplings.
HDO Regu GVK, T Choppel Bhutia informed that 25 beneficiaries of Dalapchand GPU have been benefitted with 39,000 large cardamom seedlings which will cover nearly 13 ha of barren land. The seedlings have been provided by the department free of cost to the beneficiaries and it is expected to bear fruit after 2 years, it is further informed.
Panchayat Secretary, MK Rai and beneficiary, Ajay Gurung on their part thanked the implementing departments, government and the officers for providing such benefits to BPL category farmers of the area with such programs.