ICAR Establishes ‘Model Kiwifruit Orchard’ at the Raj Bhavan, Sikkim
7th February 2015, Sikkim
In an initiative to promote the kiwifruit cultivation in Sikkim, ICAR Sikkim Centre established a ‘Model Kiwifruit Orchard’ at The Raj Bhavan, Gangtok, Sikkim under the ‘Flagship Program on Temperate Fruits’ here today. Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim, Shri Shriniwas Patil planted first kiwifruit plant at The Raj Bhavan, Gangtok, followed by Mrs Rajani Devi Patil, The First Lady of Sikkim. Shri Somnath Poudyal, Hon’ble Minister, FS & ADD and HCCDD, Govt. of Sikkim; Shri S.C. Gupta, IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary, Govt. of Sikkim; Shri R. Telang, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, to the Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim and Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Sikkim Centre also planted kiwifruit plants at The Raj Bhavan.
Addressing the august gathering and media personnel, Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim said that ICAR and State Government should jointly extend the kiwifruit production technology to the all corners of Sikkim. He further said that in future, kiwifruit plantation at The Raj Bhavan could be a model demonstration block for the visitors. He asked the State Government and ICAR to select 100 progressive farmers initially for establishing the model kiwifruit orchards to popularize kiwifruit among the farming community.
Earlier, Joint Director ICAR Sikkim Centre, Dr. R. K. Avas the briefed the importance of kiwifruit and ICAR’s efforts for popularizing it in Sikkim. He emphasized that ICAR has already made kiwifruit plantation in Upper-Gyathang, North Sikkim and Yuksom, West Sikkim. Joint Director also presented a copy of book ‘Handbook of Organic Crop Production in Sikkim’ to the Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim and other dignitaries.
(Source: ICAR Sikkim Centre)
