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.

ICAR’s Efforts to Strengthen Farmers by ‘Technological Empowerment through Input Support System’

GANGTOK, 17 Apr: The ICAR Sikkim Centre organized a mega program on 16 April at Lingdong, Dzongu, North Sikkim on ‘Technological Empowerment through Input Support System’ in order to strengthen farmers’ capacity by dissemination of scientific knowledge and distribution of inputs viz.,seeds of various kharif vegetables, biopesticides, biofungicides, sprayers, plastic sheets for construction of low cost plastic tunnels, agro-shadenets and BIO NPK, etc. Additionally, a Front Line Demonstration program on ‘Leafy Vegetable Production under Low Cost Plastic Tunnels during Rainy Season’ was also organized.

A press release informs that 69 farmers from eight SHGs of Tarang, Gnon, Sangdong, Lingdong, Tingvong, Passingdang, Sangkalang, Hee-Gyathang villages of Dzongu, North Sikkim attended the program and benefitted with the various inputs distributed. Farmers also showed keen interest to learn the scientific vegetable production technologies developed by ICAR Sikkim Centre.

Inaugurating the program, Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Sikkim Centre stressed that ‘Change in Thought Process’ is must for commercial and intensive production of vegetables to bring about perceptible change in the vegetable production scenario of the region. He further emphasized that selection of crops and its bulk production is very important from marketing point of view which facilitates marketing and ensures higher returns as organic products have immense value. The Joint Director also distributed the vegetables seeds, biopesticides, biofungicides, sprayers, plastic sheets, agro-shade net, etc. to the progressive farmers of eight SHGs from the various villages of Dzongu, the release mentions.

Principal Scientist (Entomology), Dr. H. Kalita presented the overview of the program and its signficance for the region. He also discussed the pest and disease management in vegetable crops. He stressed upon the importance of regular visit and proper monitoring of farm in organic production system for better control of pathogens as ‘prevention is always better than cure’.

Senior Scientist (Horticulture), Dr. Ashish Yadav detailed the ‘Leafy Vegetable Production Techniques under Low Cost Plastic Tunnels during Rainy Season’. He highlighted that hi-tech production of vegetables with low cost technologies gives maximum benefits to the farmers and cultivation of leafy vegetables especially coriander under low cost plastic tunnels during rainy season is very profitable.

Scientist (Agronomy), Dr. Subhash Babu talked about the organic nutrient management in vegetable production system. He emphasized on significance of crop rotation with leguminous crops to avoid nutrition depletion in soil because of monocropping. He also suggested that green manuring with Sesbania rostrata (dhaincha) is also good option.    

Program Assistant, KVK Ranipool, Boniface Lepcha coordinated the event and discussed about the construction of low cost plastic tunnels and detailed the package of practices of leafy vegetables and other relevant issues related to organic vegetable production.

Deepak Rai, Tirtha Chettri and Dinisha Rai actively assisted in organizing the whole programme.

SSB organises ‘Samajik Chetna Abhiyan’ in West Sikkim

GANGTOK, 30 Sept: Sashastra Seema Bal [SSB], Sikkim Area, Sector Hqrs Gangtok, began a five-day ‘Samajik Chetna Abhiyan’ [social awareness programme] on 28 September at Okhrey, West Sikkim.
The programme is aimed at community participation for border management and developing coordination & rapport with people in the border areas for better public-Police relationship, an official press release explains. The programme was formally inaugurated by West Zilla Adhakshya Devika Subba.
The inaugural function was attended by DIG, SSB, Sector Hqrs. Gangtok, Sanjeev Sharma, Presidents, Secretaries and Members of various GPUs, Principals/Headmasters and Teachers from various schools and a large gathering of locals from Okhrey and nearby villages, besides a host of SSB officers.
Area Organiser, SSB, Sikkim Area, SK Sood highlighted the aims and objectives of ‘Samajik Chetna Abhiyan’ and informed about various activities and programmes to be held during the five days like Exhibitions, Sports and Games, Healthy Baby Show, Sit & Draw competition, Patriotic Song Singing competition, Elocution Contest, Inter-School Quiz Contest, Football Tournament, Musical Chair for Ladies, Tug-of-War, Cultural Programme and Medical/Vetinerary Civic Action to be organised at Okhrey, Ribdi, Bharang, Piureytar, Chengbagaon, Tikpur, Fambong villages  etc.
Sanjeev Sharma [DIG, SSB, Sikkim Sector] while impressing upon the need of community participation for ensuring better border management and coordination with people in the border areas also apprised about some forthcoming community development programmes that are in the offing for the benefit of the locals.
The chief guest, Ms Subba expressed her happiness over the initiatives taken by SSB in carrying out people-oriented welfare activities in this part of West District. She also impressed upon the gathering and various government agencies to work in tandem with SSB to reap the full benefits of various community development and capacity building activities undertaken by SSB under their community welfare programmes. She also assured of full cooperation from various government departments and agencies in carrying out such programmes in remote parts of border areas.
Secretary, Okhrey-GPU, Lakpa Sherpa also thanked SSB for its continued support and coordination in the border villages and also assured full cooperation of Panchayat units in people orientated welfare activities.
Sukanta Halder [Sub Area Organiser, SSB, Sombaria Sub Area] informed that a sports tournament for promotion of Rural Sports will also be conducted by SSB from 30 September to 02 October and sports equipment will be distributed to the participants/schools and local clubs.
School children from various schools presented charming folk-songs and dances during the inaugural function. Various sports and games were also conducted for school children. Medical and Vetinerary Team of SSB organised camp and distributed medicines free of cost.
The release informs that the valedictory function of “Samajik Chetna Abhiyan” will be held on 02 October. Area MLA, Daramdin Constituency, Tenzi Sherpa is scheduled to attend the function as the chief guest. Prizes and certificates will be given to the winners of various competitions and other participants during the valedictory function.  

Special session on Tourism and Bird-watching held at Namchi Girls School

NAMCHI, 22 Sept: An awareness programme on tourism was held today here at the auditorium hall of Girls Senior Secondary School Namchi.  During the programme, organized by Namchi Girls Senior Secondary School (NGSSS), the participants were educated on various topics by the experts and resource persons from Sikkim Foundation and Ornithological Society.
Senior Forest Officer and Environmentalist, Usha Lachungpa started her address with Article 51A Fundamental Duties of the Constitution of India that says "It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture, to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, Lakes and wild life, and to have compassion for all living creatures".
She further informed the participants about the state’s biodiversity and the need to explore it before learning about other parts of the country. Ms Lachungpa also informed about the dos and don'ts under the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972 and also on Human-Animal conflicts.
“Irresponsible littering in forest areas needs serious attention soon otherwise our state will turn into a high altitude garbage dump”, she added. Further she appealed to everyone to conserve Sikkim's natural heritage.
Karma Thenpo and his team from the Sikkim Ornithological Society spoke on the topic ‘Basics of Bird Watching’. Photographer cum bird watcher Chewang R Bonpo spoke on wildlife and wildlife tourism in the Eastern Himalayas.
Principal Girls Senior Secondary School Namchi, Archana Rai also addressed the programme where she thanked the members of Sikkim Foundation and Ornithological Society and said that the programme has encouraged budding bird watchers of the area.
An interactive session was also held where experts answered the queries placed by the participants. The students who answered questions during the interactive session were also presented with gift hampers by Sikkim Ornithological Society.
The programme was attended by the teachers and students of Namchi Girls Senior Secondary School, hoteliers, travel agents and members of different NGOs of the locality. The president and the executive members of Sikkim Ornithological Society were also present.

KVK-South conducts review meeting of Farmer Clubs

GANGTOK, 20 Sept: Krishi Vigyan Kendra [KVK] South Sikkim conducted a review meeting of farmers clubs promoted by the Kendra on Thursday. Till date the Kendra has promoted 25 farmers clubs and has also submitted approval for submitting 10 more new farmers clubs of the South district, informs a press release.Gram Vikas Adhikari, Robin Sewa was present as the chief guest of the programme. During the meeting, the chief coordinators of different farmers clubs submitted their annual progress reports of 2012-13 and their action plans for 2013-14.The chief guest was impressed with the work of the farmers clubs in agricultural and allied fields in each village and with the successful dissemination of new technologies in their respective villages, the release mentions.DDM (S/W) NABARD, JC Biswas encouraged all farmers clubs to take up new technologies and also have a healthy relationship with banks. He praised the Kendra for promoting Joint Liability Group [JLG] Loans to the members of farmers clubs to the tune of Rs 60 lakh.
KVK Programme Coordinator, Tilak Gajmer, HDO Namthang and SMS, IP Shivakoti also spoke during the programme. Also present were HDO Namthang, DP Gurung, KVK officials and chief and associated coordinators of 15 farmers clubs.  

 

Interactive workshop refines disaster and rescue management plans

GANGTOK, 19 Sept [IPR]: Marking the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake of 18 September 2011, the Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department organized another programme here at Gangtok today.
The programme had Rescue Global, a London-based Non-Profit Organization facilitating an interactive workshop on various aspects of disaster management and rescue operations. Mayor, Gangtok Municipal Corporation, KN Topgay and Deputy Mayor, Shakti Singh Choudhary also attended the programme.
The workshop was conducted by David Jones, the Commanding Officer of Rescue Global.
Mr Jones stressed that principles like compassion, integrity, and application of wisdom were the cornerstone of any disaster management exercise. He highlighted on the importance of proper co-ordination between the authorities at the National Level, State level, District level and subsequently at village level to understand and mitigate any disaster.
Mr Jones also took turns to answer specific questions put forth by the participants. The team then went on to demonstrate the elaborate technological tools used by them in their operations.
The opening and closing remarks were made by the Relief-Commissioner cum Secretary Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, KS Topgay.
The sensitization workshop had the participation of stakeholders such as officers and members of State Disaster Response Force, Civil Defense, officers from concerned Government Departments, Members of Sikkim Amateur Mountaineering Association, Chemchey, South Sikkim, representatives from Travel Agents Association of Sikkim, members of Helping Hands, and officers and staff from Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department and District Disaster Management Authority.