Horticulture inspection team returns impressed with Sikkim’s efforts

Dr. RC Upadhyaya, Chief Consultant (MIDH), heading the joint inspection team constituted under the Union Agriculture Ministry is on a seven-day visit to the State to review progress made in horticulture sector through central funding in the form of various programmes and missions.
An IPR press release informs that the team expressed deep appreciation for the “unprecedented initiative taken for the advancement of horticulture in the State and overall progress achieved in different fronts of horticulture sector”. Dr. Upadhyaya has given assurance for unlimited support in the coming days for horticulture development, the release adds.

Sikkim bags best pavilion prize at Intl Flora Expo

GANGTOK, 16 Jan [IPR]: Just a week after hosting a grand Curtain Raiser event in Sikkim House, New Delhi, the State Horticulture department bagged first prize for best pavilion in the 8th International Flora Expo organized by Media Today Group from 11-13 January, 2013 in New Delhi.
The Sikkim Stall stood out as one of the most attractive amongst various stalls put up by state governments, private companies and Govt. of India organizations. The splendid display of Cymbidium orchids in bloom, beautifully arranged cut flowers complimented by green fillers and ornamental kale mesmerized each and every visitor to the stall.
The show was inaugurated by the Transport Minister for Delhi State. The other dignitaries visiting the event included Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Tariq Anwar, Member of Planning Commission and various senior level officers from Ministry of Agriculture and State departments.
Besides display of large varieties of flowers and potted plants, various kinds of stalls advertising interrelated products and services like greenhouse manufacturing, tools & equipments, automated irrigation systems, seeds and fertilizers, landscaping materials, disease and pest control systems, books & journals also featured in the exhibition. In total there were more than 100 participants.
This event served as the best platform to advertise our upcoming International Flower Show that is being organized at Saramsa Garden in the last week of February. Many visitors have show keen interest to visit the State during the flower show and most of the important states and companies have confirmed their participation.

CS chairs steering committee meeting for Horticulture Mission

GANGTOK, 19 March [IPR]: The State Level Steering Committee meeting under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary was held in the Krishi Bhavan conference hall on 16 March to review the progress achieved in 2011-12 and approve the action plan for 2012-13 pertaining to two Central Sector Schemes on horticulture- the Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States and the National Bamboo Mission.
Present for the meeting were the Development Commissioner, Secretary-cum-PCCF, Secretary Agriculture & Horticulture, Controller of Accounts, Principal Director Agriculture, Principal Director Horticulture, representatives from various Government of India Organizations like the ICAR, NRCO, Spices Board and many other officers from state government and horticulture department.
During the course of meeting, district-wise presentations and a short presentation on floriculture were made reflecting physical and financial progress made vis-a-vis targets for 2011-12. The Secretary Agriculture summing up pointed out that satisfactory achievement has been made during the past year and intense efforts would be made during the coming year to address implementation gaps experienced during the previous year. The Principal Director presented the progress of past year and the action plan 2012-13 for National Bamboo Mission.
The Chief Secretary expressed satisfaction towards overall progress made in horticulture sector. He categorically stated that the present government has recognized horticulture as an important driver of rural economy and added that every support would be made available to the department for upliftment of rural masses. Congratulating the sincere efforts of the departmental officers in reaching extension service to the doors of the farmers, the Chief Secretary added that the impacts of these efforts are tangible in the fields. He further added that horticulture department has been diligently implementing the policies and programmes of the government and has set a new benchmark which must be sustained for years to come.
The total financial outlay approved by the SLSC for consideration of Agriculture Ministry, Government of India is Rs 5000 lakhs for Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States and Rs 682.26 lakhs for National Bamboo Mission.

Two-day horticulture show gets underway in Namchi

WATER HARVESTING TANK CONSTRUCTION BENEFITS ALSO DISTRIBUTED
NAMCHI, 09 Mar: Minister Building & Housing Department, Tilu Gurung inaugurated a two-day horticulture show here at Gandhi Park and Community Center Namchi, South Sikkim on Thursday. The show, organised by Horticulture & Cash Crop Dev. Department and Soil & Water Conservation (NRM), displays flowers, fruits and vegetables from different villages of South District in the stalls set up by progressive farmers, farmers clubs, nurseries and the department.
During the inaugural function, a total of 77 beneficiaries were provided with a cheque of Rs. 40,000 each, 50% subsidy payment along with 200 metres of poly pipes to each water harvesting tank beneficiary. Similarly 6 beneficiaries were also provided with Cymbidium orchids which were sanctioned earlier by the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling during his village-to-village tour.
While addressing the programme chief guest, Minister Tilu Gurung informed that in Sikkim the rate of cultivation and agriculture has increased and today 80% people of state are associated with agriculture. Government jobs do not offer 100% security and the educated youth should not depend on government jobs but should venture into this sector with new innovative ideas and modern techniques.
She also thanked Tika Maya Chamling for her innovative works and for encouraging the progressive farmers to work in floriculture and vegetable production.
Special guest, Minister FSADD&HCCDD, DN Thakarpa said that the beneficiaries have been provided with these benefits as per the scheme sanctioned by the Chief Minster during his Sikkim Bhraman last year. He expressed that as Minister of the Department, he regrets that the department is taking a long time to bring about awareness amongst farmers of the state on the importance of organic mission.
Till now, in South district a total of 2500 hectares of land have been certified as organic land and Sikkim has a total of 7000 hectares of land but the department is working hard and providing every possible help to the farmers to achieve the target of organic state within 2015.
The programme was also addressed by Secretary, Vishal Chauhan, Convener Farmers Cell, ND Sapkota. Earlier the chief guest and special guest along with the officers visited the agriculture, horticulture and floriculture stalls.
The inaugural function was also attended by MLA Namchi Singithang, Binod Rai, Principal Director HCCDD, DK Rai, Advisor Tourism, GM Gurung, Chairman Tea Board, Gagan Rai, DC South, AK Singh, Farmers Cell, DN Sapkota, Panchayats and the Departmental officers.

Horticulture Deptt distributes cash incentives to Rhenock farmers

GANGTOK, 24 Feb [IPR]: A programme for distribution of Cash Incentives to farmers was organised on 23 February by Horticulture & Cash Crops Development Department, Pakyong Sub-division at National Research Centre for Orchids, Pakyong for distribution of cash incentives to 52 farmers of Upper Dikling, Upper Padamchey, Damlakha and Mamzey under Rhenock Constituency.
Minister for Forest Environment & Wildlife and Tourism Departemnt was present on the occasion as the chief guest. Also present were Secretary, Horticulture, Vishal Chauhan, Director NRCO Pakyong, Officers from Horticulture & Cash Crops Development Department and Scientists from NRCO Pakyong.  The cash incentives were given away by the chief guest. In total, Rs. 3,39,600.00 was distributed to the beneficiaries.
The cash incentives were provided to the farmers to encourage production of traditional flowers like marigold during festival seasons and also to revive the production of local varieties. Training was imparted to farmers for scientific method of production of marigold.
The gathering was addressed by the chief guest who urged the farmers to take up floriculture on commercial scale to fulfill the demands created at various religious places. He further encouraged farmers to avail all the beneficial schemes provided by the State Government and tap the demands created by tourism industry for their income generation.
The Secretary Horticulture apprised the farmers about the benefit of production of Baby Corn, Sweet Corn and Pop Corn which are short duration crops as well as fetch remunerative prices. Marketing of these crops has been tied up with the Government Fruit Preservation Factory, Singtam.
He also asked the farmers to take up production of buck wheat and mustard during Rabi season. The Principal Director horticulture apprised about various schemes being implemented by Horticulture Department and asked the farmers to avail the benefit to the fullest. The Joint Director (Floriculture) informed the gathering in brief about the necessity and benefit of implementation of marigold production.

Sensitization on marketing Agri products for South farmers

GANGTOK, 09 Feb: A sensitization programme on Marketing of Agriculture/Horticulture produce of farmers of South Sikkim was organized by Indrakeel Farmers Club Federation S/W Sikkim, sponsored by NABARD Regional Office Gangtok on 06 February at SIRD Karfectar.
A press release informs that the programme was inaugurated by Addl. Director SIRD, HK Sharma while the president of the Federation, Meghraj Sharma, in his introductory speech informed that the programme was first of its kind after the inception of the Federation.
The District Development Manager, NABARD S/W Sikkim, JC Biswas in his keynote address highlighted the objective of the programme and also handled the ice-breaking session. The General Manager NABARD, PC Chaudhari trained the participants on production management and marketing through forward market, market analysis, on-line marketing system, cluster approach etc, the release informs.
The chairperson of the programme, Mr Sharma in his inaugural address asked the participants to put their thought into right action adding that theory is not valid unless it is put into positive action. He informed that SIRD can help farmers to store their perishable agro. /horti produce in their cold storage against nominal electric charges.
The technical session was handled by Field Facilitator of SIRD and General Secretary to Lakshya Organization, Roshan Kaushik who informed the participants about the significance of organic farming, online forward marketing, adopting focus group discussion method to make the programme participatory and fruitful.
During the group discussion the participants presented various relevant points in line with production and marketing and concluded that more focus should be given towards adopting organic farming and Indrakeel Farmers Club Federation should come forward in undertaking bulk marketing of agri. /horti. products. The Government should keep MSP on other products like dalle [chilly], broccoli, potato and azola farming (algae used as fertilizer and fodder) should be emphasized, it was mentioned. State level and regional level marketing federations should come forward to auction multiple products to ensure appropriate price and avoid brokers and black marketing it was further suggested.
According to the release, in the absence of representation of Denzong Cooperative Society and lack of response from SIMFED personnel who were invited to take sessions on marketing, the programme concluded after the focus group discussion and presentation before the DDM NABARD. The programme was attended by more than 35 participants representing more than 28 Farmers Clubs, NGOs and KVKs.

Rs.350 lakhs for Vegetable production in Sikkim by GoI

GANGTOK, 03 Feb: The Horticulture and Cash Crop Development Department organised two days training programme for Progressive Farmers under Vegetable Initiative for Urban Cluster (RKVY) at the SAMETI Hall, Tadong near ICAR. Under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Vegetable Initiative for Urban Cluster will be launched in major urban centres for implementation of vegetable initiative. This year, Government of India has earmarked a sum of Rs 350 lakhs for vegetable initiatives for Sikkim, for which Gangtok and Namchi has been chosen. As per this programme, vegetable seeds of seasonal, off seasonal, Rabi and Kharif will also be provided. A total of fifty progressive farmers of East District are participating in this training programme.
Minister for Agriculture and Horticulture, D.N. Takarpa in his inaugural address mentioned that Vegetable Initiatives for Urban Cluster is a National programme. Till date, the state has been emphasizing vegetable initiatives in rural areas and under this programme urban areas like Gangtok and Namchi will also be benefitted.  Sikkim is fortunate to be endowed with a variety of climatic zones which have a potential of growing a wide range of horticultural crops. Therefore, interest has to be cultivated amongst the farmers in enhancing production so that the demand of the state is mitigated from the state itself, he added.  The Minister also stated that this programme will not only fulfill both demand and supply in vegetable sector but will also increase the income of the farmers as well.
The Secretary, Agriculture and Horticulture, Vishal Chauhan in his address informed that Vegetable Initiatives for Urban Cluster is designed to increase vegetable production and productivity and marketing of the produce through farmers’groups. The scheme, he informed, is to be implemented in two towns of the state with focus on cluster vegetable production and income for the farmers as well as assured supply to consumers.  He also emphasized on the formulation of Farmers Interest Group so that it was easier to provide training and marketing also.
 While presenting the welcome address, Principal Director Horticulture, D.K. Rai appraised that there were 95 Farmers Producers Organisations in East and 75 Farmers’ Producers’ Organisations in South District out of which 1020 farmers in East and 750 in South will be selected.  Under this programme, a baseline survey has also been done by the Indian Gramin Service and NELSON Org for 700 hectares of land in East district and 300 hectares in South District.
 The inaugural programme was followed by the technical session whereby the Resource Persons from Indian Gramin Service and officials informed on package and practices of Kharif vegetables, nursery management and pest and disease control.
On the second day the participants are to be familarised with tools and equipments, nursery bed preparartion and seedling raising technique at Tadong Bamboo Nursery.

Addl Commissioner, GoI, impressed with Sikkim Horticulture

GANGTOK, 02 Feb[IPR]: The Additional Commissioner, Government of India was on a 3 day visit to the state and during his stay, was very impressed with the strides made by Sikkim in the Horticulture sector.
Wonderful work in Horticulture Sector is the final comment made by S.K. Singla, Additional Commissioner as per a release issued by IPR. He was in the State from 30th January to 01 February, 2012 to inspect developmental works undertaken in horticulture sector and implemented through the Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States. Mr. Singla visited different govt. farms and establishments including Mazitar horticulture farm, Bermiok farm, Cymbidium Development centre at Rumtek, Model Floriculture Centre located at Maniram and the joint venture establishments of anthurium and cymbidium. Also visited were floriculture units, vegetable farms and fruit plantations under the private sector at different places in East and South districts.

In the government farms and establishments, he was shown plots wherein demonstration of emerging concepts in horticulture like high density orcharding and canopy management systems in addition to incuding drip irrigation system, greenhouse technology, multi-tier system of plantation, etc are conducted for the benefit of farmers. He was impressed with the collection of germplasm materials in govt. farms / centres and the progress of activities being undertaken like tissue culture production of cymbidium orchids and orange seedling production in hi-tech greenhouse facilities.

The private sector units visited included cymbidium clusters at Assam Lingzey and Ramaram, vegetable production farm maintained by two women SHGs at Assam Lingzey, lilium plantation at Tangzi and plantation of fruits like orange, peach and guava at Khamdong. While interacting with farmers at different places, he advised the farmers to sincerely follow instructions and recommendations made by the departmental experts. He further suggested converging MGNREGA scheme with horticulture activities to leverage farm output. In addition to these, he observed that the amount of publicity is not matching with the achievements made and hence suggested wider publicity to highlight the good work done in horticulture be organized.

Horticulture Deptt begins distributing grants sanctioned by CM during Dzongu visit

WANGCHUK BHUTIA
HEE-GYATHANG, 20 Nov: The Horticulture & Cash Crop Development Department started distributing grants under schemes sanctioned by the Chief Minister during his village-to-village tour in North Sikkim earlier this month. A total of 100 beneficiaries from the Hee-Gyathang GPU of Dzongu were handed over grants for the construction of green houses, a demand that the people from the GPU had placed to the CM during his visit of Dzongu.

Team sent on an exposure trip on Bamboo expresses gratitude

SINGTAM, 09 Nov: A 23-member team from Sikkim which was sent on an exposure trip on the use of bamboo to Assam and Nagaland in September has expressed their gratitude to the Sikkim government for the opportunity.

Horticulture Inputs and Cash Incentives distributed in Namchi

NAMCHI, 19 Oct: The distribution of Horticulture Inputs and Cash Incentives under Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States to the farmers of South Sikkim was held today at Zilla Panchayat Bhawan, Namchi.

Area expansion programme of Sub-Tropical fruits held in Dzongu

MANGAN, 04 May: The Department of Horticulture held a programme on area expansion of sub-tropical fruits at the horticulture farm at Gnon Sangdong, in Lower Dzongu, North Sikkim yesterday.
Director Horticulture, DK Rai spoke on the different programmes and schemes of the department while Principal Director Horticulture, KK Singh spoke on the scope of horticulture development in North District.
Secretary, Agriculture and Horticulture, Vishal Chauhan highlighted the different policy matters, importance of organic farming and also assured to fulfill the different demands made by the panchayat and public.
During the day, beneficiaries from Dzongu were provided orange saplings from the department. The programme concluded with the vote thanks by Director, Agriculture, Topchen Lepcha.
The programme was attended by Zilla Adhyaksha North, Khamsoong Lepcha as the chief guest, along with the Joint Director, Deputy Director, Horticulture Inspector, Gram Panchayats, zilla panchayats and 300 beneficiaries.