Stakeholders Interface Meeting at ICAR-NRCO
4th April, 2015 Pakyong
The 3rd Interface Meeting with Stakeholders of ICAR-NRC on Orchids was organized at Pakyong on 4th April, 2015 .
Shri A. K. Shrivastava, Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Sikkim chaired the inaugural session as Chief Guest; and Prof. P. K. Srivastav, Dean, College of AE & PHT and Dr. R. K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex, Sikkim Centre as Guest of Honor.
Shri. A. K. Shrivastava, in his inaugural speech, expressed his concern about loss of biodiversity and climate changes. He stressed upon judicious utilization of our natural resources keeping in view of future generations.
Dr. Avasthe said that upcoming orchid industry in Sikkim and other North Eastern India can be very helpful in creating livelihood and employment opportunities in rural areas.
Prof. Srivastav, stressed the need for mechanization of hill agriculture including post harvest handling and value addition through packaging and flower drying. Inaugural speech was delivered by Chief Guest.
Dr. D. R. Singh, Director ICAR-NRCO, highlighted the technologies, varieties and products developed by centre and also put forward his vision for commericialization of orchid in the state. He also urged other organizations with similar goals to join the hands for protection of precious orchid weath.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss various issues related to orchid conservation and commercialization in northeastern states including Sikkim. Sixty-five participants from central and state government organizations, progressive orchid growers from Sikkim and Darjeeling District, West Bengal attended the meeting.
(Source: ICAR-NRC on Orchids, Sikkim)
