Wednesday, July 2, 2014

AGRI DEPTT REFUTES Dr. MECHUNG’S ALLEGATIONS

Department maintains that seeds are not chemically treated
EXPLAINS WHY PACKETS COME WITH BLACKED OUT SECTION
GANGTOK, 01 July: The Agriculture Department today refuted allegations leveled by Rumtek-Martam MLA, Dr Mechung Bhutia that the state government was distributing chemically treated seeds to farmers in the state in contravention of its own Organic Mission [read new report published in NOW! issue dated 01 July 2014 for details].
On Monday, the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha MLA had accused the government of insincerity in implementation of the Sikkim Organic Mission. He had claimed that some packets of seeds he had collected from the department's godown were chemically treated, in that, they were marked as poisonous which had been covered with black ink.
To clarify the matter, the Agriculture Department held a press conference today which was addressed by Secretary for Horticulture cum Agriculture Department, PT Bhutia, accompanied by the Principal Director, Horticulture Department, K Bhutia.
The Secretary maintained that the seeds being distributed to farmers in the state are not treated with any chemical and stressed that the Department would not be so casual in implementation of the Organic Mission. The state government, he explained, gets these seeds from suppliers who have agreed to the terms and conditions with regard to supply of only untreated seeds, as laid down by the government.
“The packets that the seeds come in are manufactured in huge numbers and used for seeds meant for other states and countries as well. The companies supply us untreated seeds but pack them in the same packets and black out contents which do not exists in packets meant for Sikkim,” clarified Mr. Bhutia. Clearly, given Sikkim’s size, the consignment order is not big enough to justify printing of separate packets.
He further added that these packets of seeds are certified at the national level while the department also procures seeds from the local farmers.
The Secretary also mentioned that he had met MLA Dr. Mechung Bhutia on Monday and had explained everything to him. The Secretary believes that Dr. Bhutia was satisfied with the explanation. “It is thus surprising that he went on to level such allegations even after our meeting where the matter was clarified and explained,” he stated.
Sharing further details, he informed that the seeds are procured under guidelines of National Seed Corporation of India, which is the authoritative body which lays down guidelines for production of seeds and also grants organic certification. He stated that all the seeds procured by the State of Sikkim were untreated and came with a special label on the package which reads ‘untreated for Sikkim’. Dismissing claims made by the MLA that seeds kept for distribution were found to be treated with chemicals like Thiram, the Secretary clarified that seeds received by Sikkim are of high organic value and are bereft of any such chemical.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of Sikkim Organic Mission Mr. Khorlo Bhutia, while dismissing claims made by the MLA, informed that bulk of the demands of seeds were met by local produce and only hybrid variety of seeds were procured from outside the State to run Programmes under the aegis of the Government to India. He further explained that out of the 74000 hectares area under cultivation, specific areas were demarcated for production of cardamom, cereals and seedlings. He thus clarified that the consignment to Sikkim from outside the State was very limited, as the State is making a major portion of its procurement locally. This, he suggested, left very little room for any discrepancy in the supply of seeds from outside. He stated that each packet of these seeds come with details like batch number, lot number and variety, which are factors which can ensure transparency and accountability, and can be challenged anytime.
The Executive Director also mentioned about the initiatives taken by the Governmnet to prepare an Act (which is under process) which can check the inflow of unauthorised chemical pesticides and fertilizers into the State. He informed about a high level meeting in this regard held in August 2013 which made a policy decision that all renewals and new trade licences for agricultural inputs would be termed Agricultural Inputs of Organic Origin.

The department reiterated the state government's commitment towards making the entire state organic by 2015 and urged the all Sikkimese to support the mission.

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