Two-day Kisan Mela 2012 concludes at Saramsa G

GANGTOK, 28 Feb [IPR]: The two-day Kisan Mela 2012 organised by the Horticulture and Cash Crop Department concluded here at the Saramsa Garden, Ranipool, East Sikkim, today. The two-day event was organized in order to encourage the farmers of the state towards horticulture which is one of the most profitable sectors owing to its market in and outside the state.
The event saw the exhibits of horticulture products from the farmers of the East district of the state. Besides the horticultural products brought by the farmers of the East district the Mela also saw exhibition of Medicinal Herbs from the National Mission for Medicinal plants, flower exhibition and exhibition of different types of bamboo and bamboo products under National Bamboo Mission.
In order to aware the farmers on the latest scientific development in the agriculture/horticulture sector the Mela also had stalls from the agriculture / horticulture related equipment producing companies, organic pesticide, fungicide and bio-fertilizers producing companies, seed supplier agencies and NERAMAC. The second day of the Mela also saw technical session on importance of vegetable and different schemes available to the farmers, organic farming, importance of fruits and different schemes available to the farmers by the government.
The resource persons from the department highlighted the importance of horticulture in the present day scenario in the up-liftment of the economic status of the farmers. Farmers and panchayat of East district who visited the Mela expressed gratitude to the organizers for holding such a Mela which they said will help and encourage the farmers towards the horticulture sector.
The two-day Mela was inaugurated by the Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, K.T Gayltsen on 27 February. As chief guest of the inaugural function Mr. Gyaltsen accompanied by Minister Agriculture, and Horticulture department, D.N Thakarpa visited all displayed stalls of the products by the farmers of Sikkim.
Addressing from the chair Mr.Gyaltsen congratulated the department for organizing the Mela to encourage the farmers. He said that such a Mela besides encouraging the farmers in agricultural and allied activities helps in developing cordial relationship between the department and the farmers which in the long run helps in the development of agriculture/horticulture in the state. The department provides various facilities and schemes to support the farmers in various fields, Mr. Gyaltsen said.
He further said that Kisan Mela is a platform for the farmers to show their product and to acquire knowledge on the latest development and scientific technique of farming. He urged the people not to break the relation with the soil which provides food for all living creatures of the world.
Mr. Thakarpa in his address said that the Kisan Mela is being organised to aware the farmers about new technology and technique of farming in easier ways. He urged the educated youth to adopt the farming profession with scientific technique, which is a sustainable profession. Farming of vegetables, flower, fruits, cash crops along with animal husbandry is a profitable, respectful and independent profession, he said.
Secretary, Horticulture and Cash Crop Development Department, Vishal Chauhan placed a report of the achievements and schemes of the department. He suggested to the farmers to choose the schemes which interest them.
Earlier, the Principal Director delivered the welcome speech and also informed about the departmental programmes and schemes for the farmers.
The inaugural function was also attended by the Area MLA, BB Rai, Zilla Adhyaksha,EDZP, Chairman and Advisors, Officers, Panchayats and Farmers.

Two-day Kishan Mela at Saramsa inaugurated

SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 27 Feb: Farmers from different parts of East Sikkim exhibited their produce at the Kishan Mela 2012, which was inaugurated by the Speaker, KT Gyaltsen at Saramsa Garden today. A total of 304 farmers have exhibited their horticulture, floriculture and other crops in this two-day programme, organized by the Horticulture and Cash Crops Development Department [H&CCDD], East District.
The Speaker accompanied by the Horticulture and Agriculture Minister, DN Takarpa, Namcheybong MLA, BB Rai, Zilla Adhyaksha [East], Bimal Dawari and Horticulture and Agriculture Secretary, Vishal Chauhan inspected the various stalls of the exhibition and interacted with the farmers.
In his inaugural address, the Speaker mentioned that this programme was a platform for the farmer fraternity to showcase their produce and to learn new knowledge and technology. He further added that such programmes would also encourage the youth in this sector. He urged the department to bring students to such programmes to show the produce of the state and it would also help them to gain knowledge.
The Speaker also spoke on the lack of interest in agriculture amongst the youth and added that the resulting rural to urban migration is an important issue. On the same, he urged the farmer fraternity to think over the issue seriously and stressed on bringing about a positive change in the mindset of the people. He also mentioned that the concerned departments should also provide counseling and all required support to farmers.
Minister, Mr Takarpa encouraged farmers to replace the traditional way of farming by modern technology to increase their produce. The Minister stated that the government has introduced programmes to promote low volume high value crops which would help farmers to earn more from less land.
The Secretary pointed out that there is large market for horticulture and floriculture products in and outside the state and the department is working hard to encourage people to adopt these sectors. He also highlighted that organic products have more demand and fetch high prices in the world market and called for people’s support in the Sikkim Organic Mission.
In his welcome address, Principal Director [Horticulture], DK Rai spoke on the various ongoing programmes and schemes of the departments in these sectors.