Sikkim Organic Day cum Krishi Unnati Mela Organized
“Sikkim Organic Day cum Krishi Unnati Mela” was collaboratively organized by Food Security & Agriculture Development Department and Horticulture & Cash Crops Development Departments, Govt. of Sikkim and ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute (ICAR-NOFRI) during January18-19, 2019 at Manan Kendra, Gangtok, Sikkim.
The Mela was aimed at bringing together large number of farmers of Sikkim to a common platform to interact with entrepreneurs, service providers of organic farming and specialists in the fields of agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry. During the event more than 2000 farmers, agro-entrepreneurs and delegates, research scientists, specialists and extension officers from different line departments actively participated. On the occasion, different line departments displayed their agricultural technologies as well as organic farm products. ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong and ICAR-KVK East Sikkim also showcased the organic farming and related technologies for resource conservation, sequential vegetable production, livestock and poultry production and Integrated Organic Farming System (IOFS) Model. The theme of the exhibition was ‘Kaushal Vikas Se Krishi Vikas’.
On Jan. 18, 2019, the inaugural day, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pawan Chamling graced the occasion along with Shri K. N. Rai, Hon’ble Speaker, Shri Somnath Poudyal, Hon’ble Minister, Agriculture, Horticulture and AH, Shri Shyam Pradhan, Hon’ble MLA, Shri Pintso Chopel, Hon’ble MLA and senior State officials including, Shri Alok Kr. Shrivastava, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim; Shri Khorlo Bhutia, Secretary, FS&ADD, Govt. of Sikkim; Shri D. K. Bhandari, Secretary, H&CCDD, Govt. of Sikkim. Shri Jaya Kannan, DGM, NABARD, Gangtok was also present. After welcome address was given by Shri Khorlo Bhutia, Secretary, FS&ADD, power point presentations were made by Dr S. Anbalagan, IFS, CEO, Sikkim Organic Mission, and Dr R. K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong. The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim visited all the stalls on display and interacted with the farmers, staff and scientists. Shri Somnath Poudyal, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture and AH spoke on the occasion stressing that the farmers must work hard for ensuring regular supply of organic commodities. Addressing the large gathering of farmers of North and East Sikkim, Hon’ble Chief Minister exhorted the farmers to be more enterprising and not leave their land fallow during the Rabi season now that Sikkim has entered into the fourth year of being the first fully organic state it is important to ensure continuity in availability of organic products. He informed the gathering on the immense benefits of organic farming especially in nurturing the Mother Earth. He shared many of his long experiences and encouraged farmers and officers to produce biopesticides, compost, and rural composts for higher yields. Dr. N. Prakash, Director I/C, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam and Dr. A.K. Tripathi, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Guwahati also addressed the gathering. The inaugural session concluded with the vote of thanks by Shri D. K. Bhandari, Secretary, HCCDD, Govt. of Sikkim.
On the second day, His Excellency Shri Ganga Prasad, Governor of Sikkim graced the valedictory session in the presence of Shri Somnath Poudyal, Hon’ble Minister, Agriculture Horticulture and AH, Shri Khorlo Bhutia, Secretary, FS&ADD, Govt. of Sikkim; Shri D. K. Bhandari, Secretary, H&CCDD, Govt. of Sikkim and Shri C. P. Dhakal, State CIC. He visited the entire exhibition area and interacted with the officials and farmers.
To celebrate the occasion, ICAR-NOFRI also published a souvenir which was released by Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Pawan Chamling. The souvenir covers latest agricultural technological interventions and scientific findings which would go a long way in preparation of road map and policy guidelines for implementation of organic farming in India towards doubling farmers’ income by 2022, especially in the context of emerging food, nutrition and health concerns of the society. A Farmer-Scientist Interaction was organized on Jan.19, 2019 wherein large numbers of farmers and officials participated. During the Interaction, power point presentations were made by Dr R. K. Avasthe, Jt. Director, ICAR- NOFRI on organic farming technology for doubling farmers’ income by 2022, Shri S. T. Bhutia, Director (Agriculture) on schemes in Agriculture Department and Shri Padam Subba on schemes in Horticulture Department. During the valedictory session Shri Khorlo Bhutia delivered the welcome address and was followed by presentation made by Dr. S. Anbalagan, IFS, CEO, Sikkim Organic Mission and Dr R. K. Avasthe, Jt. Director, ICAR-NOFRI. In his address, His Excellency Shri Ganga Prasad, Governor of Sikkim congratulated the farmers of Sikkim and raised the issue of water harvesting, vermi-composting and enhancement of cropping intensity in Sikkim. The two-day event was structured by Shri Khorlo Bhutia, Secretary, FS&ADD and Shri D. K. Bhandari, Secretary, HCCDD, Govt. of Sikkim and effectively implemented by the officers of Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, Govt. of Sikkim and scientists and staff of ICAR-NOFRI, Gangtok with good participation by College of Ag. Engg. & PHT, CAU, Spices Board, SIMFED, FPOs, SHGs, KVKs of Sikkim and ICAR-NRC for Orchids.
NABARD, Gangtok and ICAR-ATARI Zone VI were kind enough to sponsor the event along with ICAR and Government of Sikkim. All the Scientists, Subject Matter Specialists, officials and SRF/JRF of the ICAR-NOFRI and KVK East Sikkim participated in the programme.
