CM urges deeper involvement of Agri and Horti Deptt personnel

ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHMENT OF AUCTION HOUSE AT PAKYONG AIRPORT 
GANGTOK, 18 July: “65 percent of the entire state’s budget goes towards payment of salaries to the 50,000 government employees. It is time for the employees to now realise that since a major share of the funds go to them, they should deliver exceptionally well on the responsibilities shouldered on them and leave no room for complaint,” said Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at the daylong interactive meeting with officials and staff of Food Security & Agriculture Development Department and Horticulture Cash Crop Development Department here at Manan Bhawan today.
Also in attendance were around 200 farmers, service providers, and NGO and SHG representatives from all the four districts. The concerned Minister, DN Thakarpa, Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso, Chairman Farmers Welfare Board, PL Subba, Advisor BM Ramudamu, Secretary Agriculture, Vishal Chauhan, Secretaries from different line departments and officials of the various state and central agencies associated with the sector were also present.
The CM, while stressing on the need for government employees to have a more pro- active approach towards the development of the State and keener understanding of the vision of the policy makers, urged all present to deliver on their services with dedication and in the process develop a true sense of belonging and ownership towards the state and its people.
“The farmers and labourers working in the fields depend solely on the decisions officials make for them. Since 90 percent of all employees are also from rural backgrounds, they are expected to understand rural issues, realities, plight and requirements better and address them efficiently. However, such engagement is still awaited and I sincerely hope that you will introspect and keep this in mind from henceforth,” added the CM.
He directed the VLWs and other field functionaries to come forward with proposals on what is feasible and best suited for their respective areas and submit them to the department.
In this context, he remarked that in his 18 years as the Chief Minister, no proposal or solution had come up from government offices dedicated to areas such as agriculture and horticulture towards making this field of employment and revenue generation more lucrative, attractive and appealing to the coming generations.
“Professionalism in this sector has to be developed and a farmer should be made to understand and rewarded in a way that he or she will not abandon this sector for other professions and for that matter also attract the unemployed youth  into this sector that has enjoys so much respectability in other countries,” stated the CM.
Here, he added that opting for the revolutionary State Organic Mission was one such venture that had been envisioned by the government to make this sector lucrative with high benefits and less volume.
“We have to start taking examples from regions that are still working hard and doing well without the required natural resources, a feature that we are so rich in. We have all the required aspects to be the best so why don’t we capitalize on it? We should all realise that without understanding our responsibilities we are not going to achieve our goal of a totally organic and self reliant state by 2015,” he highlighted.
Further, the CM expressed that he had considered opting for organic farming since he deeply felt about the need for transformation in the existing agriculture sector.
“I have seen my mother and father work tirelessly in the fields and still their lives carried on without even being able to give proper education to their children. Even today, when you ask a child from the villages what their parents do, they still hesitate from saying that they are farmers. Why this mindset still prevails and how we can change this should be our aim now,” explained the CM.
Another reason cited by him for opting to go totally organic was for health reasons. “Going organic is going for a healthy Sikkim. There is nothing more valuable than life and in existing times, the food we consume is actually killing us. By going organic we want to counter this problem first and then other benefits will follow. Recently, we were also on national television for our revolutionary role towards this positive transformation for which we have now been recognized everywhere, we have become the trendsetters,” he stated.
On the day, the CM also announced that an auction house would soon be set up at the Greenfield airport coming up at Pakyong where horticulture and agriculture produce can be sold in bulk. This auction house will have all the required facilities like warehousing and cold storage, and will be managed by the Agriculture and Horticulture Department, he informed.
Earlier, officials from the two departments made power-point presentations on the Sikkim Organic Mission and preparation made thus far for the International Flower Show 2013, the progress made by the Agriculture and Horticulture departments respectively. It was informed here that the major challenges in the sector at present were sustainability and market linkages.
It may be informed that the state has planned one of the biggest flower shows from 23 to 27 February 2013. The International Flower Show was initiated in 2008 and this coming year the government has plans to make it a grand event as well.
It was also mentioned that Rs. 422.31 lakh has been used by the department in the sector as per directions given by the CM during his 42 days village-to-village tour last year. Similarly, light was also shed on the establishment of livelihood schools and initiation of training programmes for farmers on their roles and responsibilities.
Lastly, it was also informed that the State Organic Mission had started with a certified area of 8,128 Ha and during its first phase in the year 2010-11 covered 18,242 Ha and similarly covered 20,708 Ha during the second phase 2011-12. The third phase during the year 2012-13 will see 11,058 Ha being covered under organic farming which will amount to approximately 58,218 Ha of total land under organic farming in the state.

HC rejects contention of 31 temporary employees seeking appointment as VLWs

GANGTOK, 03 July: A group of 31 temporary employees who have been working under the Agriculture and Horticulture Department for periods ranging up to 20 years have been found ineligible to be considered for appointment to the post of Village Level Workers in the department by the High Court of Sikkim under the Sikkim State Direct Recruitment (Special Provision) Rules, 2008. 
It was observed by the Court that the post of Village Level Worker is higher than the posts they are currently holding and with a higher pay scale as well. The Court did however observe that it was a different question whether the 2008 Rules are in consonance with the mandate of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India.
The group of petitioners had based their arguments for consideration for the above mentioned posts on the Sikkim State Direct Recruitment (Special Provisions) Rules, 2008, particularly Rule 3 and also on the submission that they also perform duties of Village Level Workers in addition to their own duties. Five of the petitioners have been working as Field Assistants, 8 have been working as Data Recorders and 18 have been working as Lower Division Clerks.
It was noted by the High Court that these positions are lower than that of a Village Level Worker. All 31 have been employed on Muster Roll basis for periods ranging between 14 to 20 years and as per their submissions, possess Class XII pass qualifications in the Arts and Commerce streams.
The bid to be in considered for the posts of Village Level Workers began when the Department of Food Security and Agriculture Development published an employment notice on 20 October, 2011 for filling up of 81 vacancies of Village Level Workers. The minimum qualification required was Class 12 pass with Bio Science which was later altered to Class 12 pass with Agriculture / Horticulture as subjects.  While the petitioners admitted that they did not possess the requisite qualification of Agriculture or Horticulture as subjects they sought consideration under the Direct Recruitment Rules, 2008 with respect to temporary employees working in the government departments.
Rule 3 allows relaxation in matters of eligibility criteria for temporary employees in direct recruitment to posts under certain conditions. Posts so filled by temporary employees are not to exceed 50% of the total number of vacancies and they also have to go through tests and interviews.
Chief Justice P Kohli noted that the rules permitted relaxation with respect to candidates with experience and expertise gained by the temporary employees to be able to compete and that their selection depended on their performance in the test and interviews. He also noted that the vacancies advertised were of a higher rank and pay scale.
Advocate A Moulik, appearing for the petitioners, contended that the Rule 3 does not in any manner restrict the right of the temporary employees to the same category of posts against which they are working and they are entitled to apply and be considered for the higher posts though in relaxation of the eligibility criteria prescribed for the posts.
The CJ however noted that this contention was totally devoid of merit. Sub Rule (4) of Rule 3, it was noted, indicated that a “…temporary employee is eligible to apply in respect to the post to be filled up by direct recruitment in the same department where he/she is working and for the same category of posts. Thus the temporary employee is not entitled to seek consideration against direct recruitment vacancy for a higher post or in any other department.”
The Court noted that the advertised vacancies are higher in status and pay scale and “…on account of embargo created under sub-rule (4) of Rule 3, the petitioners are ineligible to seek their consideration for recruitment against the advertised vacancies even under the 2008 Rules…”.  Accordingly the petition has been dismissed.

Agriculture Dept meeting identifies Common Collection Centre for every GPU and cluster

SIMFED WILL PROCURE PRODUCE FROM THESE COLLECTION CENTRES FOR PROCESSING
GANGTOK, 12 Mar: Food Security and Agriculture Development Department has taken up more than 450 hectares this year for the cultivation of baby corn, sweet corn and pop corn following the successful trials of these crops in the state last year.
Out of the 450 hectares, 350 hectares are covered by the beneficiaries of the Chief Minister Special Package for Dry and Backward Areas of South and West Sikkim while the remaining hectares covers the farmers in the general programme of the department. It is informed that 10 GPUs each in West and South Sikkim were identified for the cultivation of these crops under the Chief Minister Special Package for Dry and Backward Areas after getting the direction from the Chief Minister during his village-to-village tour.
For the same, the FS&ADD has already identified beneficiaries and provided training to farmers and panchayats and also handed over the seeds, manure and other required inputs and are now just waiting for the right time for sowing.
To deliberate on the marketing strategies and other concerned issues, a meeting was convened at Krishi Bhawan conference hall today, which was attended by Principal Director, Phitook Tshering Bhutia, Director, Khorlo Bhutia, Additional Directors, PK Dewan, Dr Yasoda Pradhan and SL Dorji, district and sub-divisional officers and field functionaries of the FS&ADD and Managing Director, Brijendra Swaroop and DGMs of SIMFED.
The meeting identified the Common Collection Centre for every GPU and cluster, from where the SIMFED will collect the produce of the farmers to take to the processing units.  The meeting also announced to provide cash incentives and certificates to best performing officials and farmers.
Director, Mr Bhutia stated that the department has been encouraging farmers to take up the cultivation of these crops as these get ready in just two months and the farmer could earn more than one lakh rupees from one hectare of land. He informed that last year the department had taken up 30 hectares and received an overwhelming response from the farmers and many farmers have themselves come forward this time for the cultivation of these crops.
Mr Bhutia also directed field functionaries to create more awareness and provide guidance to farmers and to provide full support to them for the success of these crops. He encouraged all concerned sections to help out farmers to uplift their socio-economic condition.
It has been informed that as the farming practiced in the state is organic so there his huge marketing potential of these crops outside the state.
SIMFED, MD, Mr Swaroop informed that SIMFED has been paying farmers for their produce on the spot and last year SIMFED paid a total of Rs 25 lakh to farmers for their produce.
The district and sub-divisional officials along with the field functionaries were also advised to prepare success stories of farmers involved in the cultivation of these crops.

Vegetable Initiative for Urban Cluster training begins in Namchi

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF WATER HARVESTING TANKS DISTRIBUTED
NAMCHI, 01 Mar: The Department of Food Security and Agriculture, Horticulture and Cash Crop Development under Natural Resource Management (NRM) distributed financial assistance of Rs. 29, 60,000 lakh to 74 beneficiaries of Namchi, South Sikkim. This financial assistance was provided to 74 progressive farmers under Namchi GPU amounting to Rs. 40,000 each for the construction of water harvesting tanks while 148 coil poly pipes were also distributed among the beneficiaries.
This was the first phase of its distribution programme which was sanctioned earlier by the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling during his Sikkim Brahman. The CM had sanctioned 747 WHT in the South District and out of which 74 WHT are completed and the rest are in the process of completion. The following areas are covered in South District, Assangthang GPU, Upper Falidara, Lower Salleybong, Salghari GPU, Lower Boomtar, Sorok Sympani GPU, Sumbuk Kartikey GPU, Lungchok Kakaray GPU, Burfung Jarung GPU, Kewzing Bhakhim GPU, Lamaten Tingmoo GPU, Rayong Tingkitam GPU, Rong Bul GPU and Lower Kamrang.
A programme was organized here at Namchi Community Centre by the department in which the Minister of the concerned Department, DN Thakarpa was present as the chief guest while it was also attended by the Secretary, Vishal Chauhan, Principal Director Horticulture, DK Rai, Director NRM/ Soil, Achung Bhutia, Additional Director NRM, AK Thapa, Joint Director NRM, CB Rai and other departmental officials.
While addressing the programme Mr Thakarpa said that the beneficiaries have been provided with these benefits as per the scheme for drought prone zones sanctioned by the Chief Minster during his village-to-village tour last year. Further he said that the aim of the department is to promote farming and marketing at the cluster level which according to him will give more benefits to the farmers.
He also said that this will provide a helping hand in the Chief Minister’s vision of making Sikkim an Organic State. Further, he informed that the department has started training for farmers on modern farming techniques with the aim to provide more benefits with less labour. The Department has decided to make Namchi and Gangtok, the main marketing centre and the middle man will be removed entirely from the marketing process, he added.
The next session of the programme witnessed the inaugural function of the two-day training on Vegetable Initiative for Urban Cluster (V.I.U.C) under Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yozna [RKVY]. During this training programme resource persons from the state and Centre will provide the farmers with aims and objectives of V.I.U.C, Package and Practices of Cole Crops, Kharif Vegetables and Tomatoes as well as role of Integrated Pest Management in vegetables.
Nursery bed preparation and seedling raising techniques and familiarization with tools and equipments and practical demonstration will also be provided by the experts to the farmers. This training programme is being held for the 750 farmers of 21 villages from the South District which has been divided into 69 groups.
After the completion of this training programme farmers will also be provided with seeds and manures by the department, as informed by the officials. Later, Minister, Secretary and other officers also made a field visit to Assangthang, Salghari, Alley and Dumigaon where they inspected the construction of water harvesting tanks while Secretary, Vishal Chauhan also visited the departmental green house shed at Chemchey, South Sikkim.

Sikkim team participates in International organic trade fair in Germany

GANGTOK, 29 Feb: A team comprising of Principal Director, PT Bhutia, Director, Khorlo Bhutia, Additional Director, KK Pradhan, Additional Director, Karma Bhutia, Advisor  Farmers Cell, Deepak Gurung and Convenor Farmers Cell, DN Sapkota  participated in the international organic trade fair ‘BioFach 2012’ at Nuremberg, Messe, Germany from 15-18 February.
A press release informs that the team from Sikkim participated in the Congress on Sustainability in the Organic Movement. The forum discussed the sustainability of the organic sector and the strategies to be taken up worldwide for sustainable organic agriculture. Some of the speakers at the congress also applauded the organic movement in Sikkim and highlighted the potential of products like Buckwheat and Large cardamom in the international market, the release mentions.
On 19 February, the delegates from Sikkim along with other delegates of India visited The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) at Switzerland and interacted with the director Prof. Dr. Urs Niggli. A publication of Sikkim Organic Mission was presented to Dr. Urs. FiBL team appreciated the Sikkim’s fast development in organic agriculture and also applauded the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling, the release informs.
BioFach 2012, the world largest organic Trade Fair brought together 2,500 exhibitors from different parts of the globe and approximately 45,000 trade visitors from around 120 countries of the world. There was presence of more than 40 exhibitors from India, with products got delighted on a display area of over 1,000m². In an Indian Stall major products of international interest were Buckwheat and Large cardamom from Sikkim, Naga King Chilli, Pine apple and Fibreless Ginger  from Nagaland, Nutmeg, mace and Black pepper from Kerela, Dry Ginger and turmeric powder from Himachal Pradesh and the publications from Sikkim. The Indian stall with the special attraction of Sikkim’s organic products invited various queries on market development, products, innovations and market observation. The publication on Sikkim Organic Mission was also distributed to the participants from various countries.
The fair had special session of buyer-seller meet where the Sikkim delegates interacted with international organic traders and deliberated on different products, their availability and status of organic farming in Sikkim, the release adds.  

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.

State Agriculture Deptt team attends national workshop on Rainfed/Dryland farming

GANGTOK, 24 Feb: Minister for Agriculture and Horticulture, DN Thakarpa and Secretary, Vishal Chauhan, Additional Directors. SL. Dorjee and Dr. Yashoda Pradhan attended a workshop on "Policy Initiatives for Promoting Partnership between Stakeholders in Agriculture with particular reference to Rainfed/Dryland Farming" at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on 15 February, informs a press release.
The workshop was inaugurated by Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh. The inaugural session was addressed by the Union Minister of Finance, Pranab Mukherjee, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Sharad Pawar and the Governor of Punjab and Rajasthan and the Chairman of the Committee of Governors, Shivraj Patil.
Addressing the workshop, the President Pratibha Patil said that the workshop is an attempt for convergence of the activities of all the stakeholders for various aspects for enhancing the agriculture production and ensuring the food security in the country, the release informs.
After the inaugural session, there was technical session on different topics like policy initiatives to remove factors impeding raid growth in rainfed/ dryland farming, knowledge management for sustainable agriculture, Farmers-Industry Partnership and Farmers organizations.
The workshop was widely represented by Governors of the different States, Chief Ministers, Ministers, Bureaucrats, Agriculture Scientists, Officials of State Agriculture Department, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farmers representatives, the release adds.

Agriculture Dept discusses ongoing programmes and future plans in North Sikkim

GANGTOK, 30 Jan: The Department of Food Security and Agriculture Development held a meeting of officials and field functionaries at the conference hall of the Animal Husbandry Dept at Mangan on 27 January.
A press release issued by Joint Director [North], NK Gurung informs that the meeting was called to look into various developmental activities of the department including the ongoing programmes and those envisaged in the months to come and also to set targets in the future line of action.
The meeting began with the welcome address by Joint Director [North], NK Gurung followed by a brief introduction of the Rabi programmes under execution in the district [cluster approach on crops like wheat, buckwheat, mustard and ensuing maize]. A presentation on rural composting units and vermi composting units under internal control system approach was also made, the release informs.
This was followed by a deliberation by the project coordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mangan, Tshering Thendup Bhutia on the activities of the KVK. This included various training programmes organized in the district, development of better planting materials for farmers, refinement of existing technology and management practices. He also envisaged an on-field remedy for controlling/curtailing the problem of citrus borers in citrus fruits [Oranges], dwelling upon the mandate of the KVK bringing the right technology to the right farmer.
The next speaker was Dy Director [ATMA], North, Tashi Thendup Lepcha who highlighted the activities of ATMA in the district. He apprised the gathering of the farm schools opened in the district being run by farmers’ groups, covering farming and management in other allied sectors, 8 trainings to farmers involved in Rabi crops on cluster approach, and providing exposure trips to farmers in 2 groups to Bangalore and Kalimpong.
Additional Director [Headquarters], Pranay Kishore Dewan expressed that motivation was required in certain belts and communities especially when it came to adopting new methods and accepting change to ensure that farmers’ aversion to new methods and technology went into recession, locational trials of crops in collaboration with KVK could be envisaged, the release mentions. Tie-ups with SIMFED in the marketing of farm produce could augment and boost farm economy and benefit farmers.
He brought to the notice of the gathering that this ensuing season, the department had targeted different varieties of maize for distribution to the farmers in the district. 200 ha under the C-1415 variety, 50 ha under BMH-849 variety, 25 ha under Vijay Composite variety and 3 ha under pop corn ECH-186 variety, the release informs.
The Addl Director noted that since the job of feeding the hungry was, is and would always remain an uphill task, ensuring agriculture as a profitable and viable proposition would require unfaltering efforts on the part of the field workers. The field functionaries on whose shoulders this responsibility rested would, he hoped always remain forward looking and steadfast to go that extra mile, the release further adds.
The last speaker was the Director [Agri], Khorlo Bhutia, who stated that going by size, although North was the largest district it had the minimum area available for agriculture owing to its geographical aspect. He urged the officials and field functionaries to be active and responsive on their work front together with being responsible and positive to the targets set for them by the department and push ahead for higher achievement.
He said that while it was not practically possible to bring about tangible results from every effort made, some very positive results had been obtained on the cultivation and production of crops like ‘rajma’ even in the high altitude croplands of Lachung valley which would not have been possible without the efforts of the field functionaries stationed there.
He emphasized that the Department of Agriculture was a big team where rank and file was not of the highest priority but its strength lay in the ability of its functionaries to discharge their duties, irrespective of their place of responsibility whenever and wherever the call of duty came along.
Closing his address, he assured all officials and field functionaries that the department was always open for support and redressal of their grievances if the need arose. He called upon them to remain positive, sincere, optimistic and steadfast in the discharge of their responsibilities no matter how far the call of duty took them, the release further mentions.

Indigenous strand of Sikkim Paheli Dal “SKM PD-3” accorded varietal release

IF APPROVED BY THE CONCERNED CENTRAL AGENCY, WILL OPEN NEW AVENUES OF EARNING FOR LOCAL FARMERS 
GANGTOK, 17 Jan: Sikkim Paheli Dal, branded as “SKM PD-3”, an indigenous strand of the pulses, was accorded an official “varietal release” by the Agriculture Department today and with its hardy nature and nutritional content attested, has been forwarded to central agencies for consideration and onwards promotion in other parts of the country. If SKM PD-3 receives the approval of the concerned central agency and gets adopted in other states, it will open a new avenue for earning for farmers here since this variety is grown only in Sikkim and all seeds will hence have to be sourced from here.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Secretary, Vishal Chauhan, convening a meeting of the State Seed Sub-Committee here at Krishi Bhawan conference hall today, also informed that this varietal release comes after a long gap in the state. The last time such a release was done was of the Sikkim Selection 1 [Mustard], NLD White [Maize] and Soyabean Gyallop in the 1980’s.
It may be mentioned here that the Central Sub-Committee releases varieties of regional or national importance, and the State Seed Sub-Committees release varieties deemed to be beneficial for individual states. Release is intended to make a newly developed variety available to the public for general cultivation in the regions for which it is adapted.
About the process, the Secretary informed that various varieties of local Paheli Dal were collected from different parts of Sikkim and trials were undertaken from the farm level to KVK level. This variety was found the best and after approval from the State Seed Sub-Committee and ICAR, it was officially released today.
Addressing the function, the Secretary, who is also the Chairman of the State Seed Sub-Committee, mentioned that the release of a variety of pulse seed is a big day for the state. He informed that after trial and observation for around 3 years at different parts of the state, this particular variety was found to be successful.
The Secretary informed that it will now be sent to the national level and if found successful in trials at different places in the country and approved, demand for the variety will automatically surge which will benefit local farmers.
He informed that this pulse is being produced 100% locally and is also being used by the Department in its area expansion programme. This year the Department has placed a demand of 860 quintals of Paheli Dal to SIMFED for different schemes of the Department, which will be procured locally, the Secretary added.
He mentioned that Paheli Dal is a popular crop in the state and can be cultivated even in dry areas as it is very resistant. The crop is the main source of livelihood in South and West Sikkim, it is very suitable for organic farming, gives a good return to farmers even in the local market and also shows high productivity in small areas of land, the Secretary further mentioned.
The Secretary also congratulated the whole team involved in the release of SKM PD-3.
Agriculture Department Principal Director, SK Sinha expressed that the release of a crop after a gap of many years was an auspicious occasion. The meeting was also addressed by ICAR Senior Scientist, Dr Saroj Toppo.
In his welcome address, Agriculture Department Director, Khorlo Bhutia, stated that this release of a Sikkim crop is the result of the joint efforts of the department, KVK, ICAR and other concerned agencies. The meeting concluded with the vote of thanks by Agriculture Department Additional Director [Seeds], PK Dewan.

Integrated Pest Management prog underway in South Sikkim

NAMCHI, 16 Jan: To help progressive farmers of the state and to achieve the target set by the State Government of being a totally organic state by 2015, the Department of Agriculture, Horticulture and Cash Crop Development had launched new programme called Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through Participatory Technology Development (PDT) to check diseases, insects and pests and minerals and vitamins deficiency in plants and soil.
According to Deputy Director IPM, South, Haris Moktan, the Agriculture department had recently adopted this IPM programme in the state according to which the department had deployed 4 Deputy Directors in each district. Similarly 4 Plant Protection Officers and 4 Plant Protection Assistants with 1 fully equipped mobile van had been sent to each district for plant protection and control measures.
He further informed that this IPM programme uses biological measures against pests and diseases of plants and soil which was adopted by the Department after long research by the department experts in different parts of the state. Moreover the basic objectives of IPM programme are to control pests and diseases through biological inputs and techniques. To monitor, evaluate and to understand the plants protection control measures against the epidemic and endemic outbreak of pests and diseases in plants is another objectives of the IPM programme.
Mr. Moktan further informed that the department had initiated this programme in November 2011 and IPM programme in South district had already undertaken the remedial control measures in various crops and plantation crops. The South District has covered areas like Turung, Kivitipur, Dorap Busty, Sanchatar, Nathang, Tinik Chisopani, Karfectrar, Namak Bikmat and the result of the IPM programme in these areas have been positive.
The programme launched by the Department is not only helping progressive farmers of the state in controlling pests and diseases but the programme is also helping farmers increase productivity and enjoy the benefits of income generated by this programme.

ATMA conducts Soil Testing and Soil Health training at Central Pendam

GANGTOK, 02 Jan: The Agriculture Technology Management Agency [ATMA], East, FS and AD Department conducted a training cum demonstration programme on Soil Testing and Soil Health Management at Bhurung, Central Pendam on 08 Dec 2011.

Agri Deptt hands over work orders for sanctions cleared during CM’s village to village tour

GANGTOK, 19 Dec [IPR]: In a function organized by the Department of Food Security & Agriculture Development Department/ Horticulture Cash Crop Development Department (FS&ADD/HCCDD) at the State Institute of Capacity Building premises at Karfectar, the department distributed various sanction orders/ work orders approved during the Chief Minister’s village-to-village tour and made payments to the farmers of these districts for completion of water harvesting tank.

Training on bee farming at West Pendam

GANGTOK, 02 Dec: With the objective of increasing honey production and encouraging bee farming, the Agricultural Technology Management Agency, East District, of the Agriculture Department conducted a training-cum-demonstration programme on bee keeping at West Pendam Farm School on 26 Nov.

Sikkim bags second prize at Bio Fach Intl Organic Trade Fair

GANGTOK, 16 Nov: To develop market for organic produce of Sikkim, SIMFED along with the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture & Sikkim Organic Mission participated in Bio-Fach International Organic Trade Fair 2011 at Bangalore and exhibited the produce of Sikkim.

MR workers meet Agri Secy to discuss regularization options

GANGTOK, 06 June: Around 200 Muster Roll employees of Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, led by senior members of the All Sikkim Muster Roll and Workcharged Employees Association [ASMRWCEA], sat in a meeting with the Secretary, Vishal Chauhan, today and submitted a representation urging him to fill all the vacant posts in the Department with by senior MR employees within 100 the days programme as directed by the Chief Minister.
In their representation, the employees state, “Most of the MR employees have already rendered their services for more than 27 years. We request the regularization of senior MR workers in any appropriate vacant posts irrespective of their postings.”
They informed the Secretary that since 1984, not a single MR employee of either Department [Agriculture and Horticulture] has been regularized despite all the 700 MR employees possessing all the relevant documents.

Agriculture Secy to meet protesting MR and WC employees on Monday

GANGTOK, 02 June: After the MR employees of Agriculture and Horticulture Departments gheraoed their headquarter yesterday in protest against the Departments’ tardy progress on the regularization of their services, the Secretary, Vishal Chauhan, who is currently on tour with the Chief Minister has conveyed word that he would meet the MR employees on 06 June at 11 a.m. in his office. His message has thrilled the protesting employees since the meeting has been preponed, suggesting that the Secretary sympathizes with their sense of urgency to address the issue.
Speaking to NOW!, DB Rasaily, treasurer of the All Sikkim Muster Roll and Workcharged Employees Association and also the in-charge of the Agriculture and Horticulture Department, said, “As per the advice of the senior officers of the Department, we had decided to meet the Secretary on 07 June. But the Secretary has given us appointment on 06 June itself.”

MR employees at Agriculture and Horticulture Deptts gherao head office, protest tardy progress on regularisation

GANGTOK, 01 June: When around 200 Muster Roll employees of Agriculture and Horticulture Departments from all the four districts arrived in the office of the Principal Director, SK Sinha, at around 11 a.m. here at Krishi Bhawan today, a heated exchange broke out and the Director eventually left his office claiming that he had some work outside. The MR employees were upset with the tardy progress on the regularization of their services by their headquarter. The MR employees of the two Departments decided to gherao the headquarter to place their grievances to the senior officials face-to-face.
When they found that the Secretary was on tour with the Chief Minister, the employees decided to meet the Principal Director.
One of the demands, as placed to Mr. Sinha, was that, one-time relaxation be given to Class XII [Humanities] passed MR employees to fill 97 posts of VLWs lying vacant with the Department. According to the Departmental norms, the posts can be filled by the candidates having Class XII passed with Science stream.

40 more hectares brought under Baby Corn cultivation

TIE-UPS REAFFIRMED WITH SIMFED AND GFPF TO ENSURE GOOD PRICE AND ASSURED OFF-TAKE

GANGTOK, 01 May: The Food Security and Agriculture Development Department, under the 100-days programme of the State Government has completed plantation of baby corn across 40 hectares of area in the current season, a press release informs. 
The clusters selected for the cultivation are Lower Martam, Lower Rumbuk, Sombaria, Tharpu and Chumbong in West Sikkim, Chisopani, Samatar and Chalamthang in South Sikkim and Rumtek, Sajong, Changey, Marchak, Saramsa and Namcheybong in East Sikkim.
Two hundred farmers from the selected area were imparted training on Baby Corn cultivation and encouraged to expand its plantation, informs a department press release.

Field Assistant posts to stay, VLWs to be made by direct appointment

GANGTOK: The post of VLWs lying vacant with the Agriculture Department will be filled through ‘direct appointment’ from among candidates having appropriate qualifications. This was informed by a senior official of the Agriculture Department.
The official was responding to the demand raised by the Department’s employees in a general meeting held on Sunday that the post of Field Assistants, created through a notification in the year 2002 by the Agriculture Department, be done away with so that the posts of VLWs lying vacant in the Department could be filled by the Fieldmen on promotion. [check here for background details]

Agri Extension Workers want post of Field Assistants done away with

SUBASH RAI

GANGTOK, 20 March: The post of Field Assistants, created through a notification in the year 2002 by the Agriculture Department, must be done away with so that the posts of VLWs lying vacant in the Department can be filled the Fieldmen on promotion. This was one of the main agendas in the general meeting of the Sikkim Agriculture Extension Worker’s Association [SAEWA] held here today at the Department’s Conference Hall.
The meeting was also attended by representatives of the All Sikkim Muster Roll and Workcharged Association, Sikkim Agriculture Officer’s Welfare Association [SAOWA], MR and Workcharged employees of the Agriculture Department from all the four districts of Sikkim.