Union Minister Mr Parshottam Rupala reviews Agriculture and Horticulture programs in Sikkim

Gangtok, 27 December: Shri Parshottam Rupala, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Panchayati Raj chaired a review meeting of the State Agriculture and Horticulture Department here in the state capital today. The Minister reviewed the progress of work being carried out by the State, especially of schemes like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Soil Health Cards and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Bima Yojana. The Minister said he was elated to be here in the first organic state of the country and lauded the department and the state for reviving the age-old tradition of organic farming.

Referring to the drought-like situation faced by the State as reported by officers of the department in their presentations, the Minister stated that it was unusual for a hilly state to face shortage of water for agriculture. Secretary Horticulture Mr Khorlo Bhutia explained that the months from November to May record almost no rainfall thereby posing a great challenge for agriculture. Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI Mr R.K. Avaste supplemented that scientific data have proof that Sikkim has experienced a change in the rainfall pattern, and has received virtually no rainfall in the winter season. This tendency has been seen since the year 2001, he added. He attributed this phenomenon to the adverse impact of climate change.

The Minister stated that the Government of India has introduced district level planning of water conservation under PMKSY to address the problem of shortage of water. He added that the focus of this initiative is to decentralize planning so that the benefit of the scheme reaches the grass root level.

Meanwhile, Secretary RM&DD Mr D.R. Nepal shared about the Dhara Vikas Yojana or spring shed development initiated by the department for the revival of springs and lakes to address the shortage of water for agriculture and allied purposes. The Union Minister took keen interest in understanding about the program in detail. A brief presentation on Dhara Vikas Yojana was made by Deputy Secretary, RM&DD. The Minister stated that this program is a huge step towards solving the problem of shortage of water. He asked the Department to submit a detailed proposal to the Government of India to upgrade the program for the entire state. He assured that the Ministry will consider the proposal under a special provision to mitigate the dual challenge of drought and climate change.

Speaking about schemes like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana and Soil Health Cards, the Minister suggested that the state of Sikkim could incorporate modifications in these schemes to accommodate the requirements of organic farming. He added that such modifications could be adopted by other states in future. The Minister also enquired about the status of progress of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in the state. He remarked that the Government of India is committed to realise the vision and direction of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to ensure that the income of farmers is doubled by the year 2022, and added that schemes like PMKSY, PMFBY and Soil Health Cards are pillars to achieve this target.

The Minister stressed on the growing demand for organic fruits and vegetables and called for the need to build a strong brand of organic products of Sikkim. A good marketing policy should be in place to cater to the demand both within the country and abroad, he summed up.

Earlier, Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry, Government of Sikkim Mr Somnath Poudyal in his introductory remarks highlighted the key issues about the agriculture scenario in the state. He stated that the focus of the Government has been on the sustenance of the organic and eco-friendly farming movement in the state. Organic production system has been adopted as the most feasible strategy to achieve both tangible and intangible benefits in terms of premium pricing, environmental security, ecological stability and health safety, he stated. He added that the focus is on exploring the potential for agri-growth from fruits and vegetables, dairy, eggs, meat and fish, which have better prospects in the organic market.  The Minister also highlighted the success achieved through protected cultivation. The exemplary success of greenhouse for cultivation of vegetables and flowers by small and marginal farmers has been very successful, he added. He also mentioned about the priority laid on integrated cluster approach where different clusters are formed for different specific crops in a village for round the year production.

The Minister explained that the issue of food and nutritional security in the state has persisted due to challenges such as size, population and geographical remoteness, and limited cultivable area and accessibility due to rough terrain. He however stated that the Government has always aspired towards converting challenges into opportunities and strengths.

The Minister also threw light on challenges of mountain farming system, subsistence farming and its limitations. He stated that the Government is adopting a bottom up approach based on the needs and demands of the rural people which, he suggested, would bring about a sense of ownership and an emotional connect to the rural farmers. He informed that this is being done through the Panchayati Raj system which advocates a working relationship which is equal, participatory and grassroots driven.

The Minister further informed that Mission Organic Value Chain Development Scheme (MOVCD) for the North-Eastern Region is under implementation in Sikkim. He further informed that the State has already initiated the process of integrating the animal husbandry and fisheries sector into the organic fold, which will be a maiden venture in the entire country.

The Minister also mentioned the recognition and identification of five crops for export market by the NITI Aayog, viz, large cardamom, turmeric, ginger, Cymbidium Orchids and buckwheat, and the unflinching support declared by the Ministry for successful export of these crops.

The Minister, in conclusion, expressed deep gratitude to the Union Government for according due priority for development of Sikkim in the sphere of agriculture and allied sectors.  

The meeting which began with the welcome address by Secretary Horticulture Mr Khorlo Bhutia, saw a series of presentations on pertinent topics. A brief presentation on the journey and progress of Sikkim Organic Mission was made by Principal Director cum Secretary Horticulture Mr Khorlo Bhutia. Likewise, Principal Director Horticulture Mr P.T. Bhutia presented on the physical and financial progress of the horticulture sector; Director SAMETI Mrs Sherab L. Dorjee presented on food security and agriculture; while Dr. R.K. Avaste, Joint Director ICAR-NOFRI made a brief presentation on the activities of the Institute.

Earlier, books and publications prepared by Agriculture Department and Horticulture and Cash Crops Development Department in coordination with ICAR and other divisions were presented to the Union Minister.

Likewise, two publications by National Research Centre on Orchids were also released on the occasion by the Union Minister.

The meeting had the presence of Minister RM&DD, Government of Sikkim, Mr S.B. Subedi, Secretary, RM&DD, Mr D.R. Nepal, Director, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Mr Vineet Verma, senior officers of Agriculture and Horticulture Departments and Panchayati Raj, and officers from ICAR-NOFRI and National Research Centre on Orchids, Pakyong.

After the meeting, the Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Panchayati Raj, Government of India, Mr Parshottam Rupala visited the Cymbidium Development Centre at Rumtek, East Sikkim. He was accompanied in the visit by Minister Agriculture Mr Somnath Poudyal and Minister RM&DD Mr S.B. Subedi. The Union Minister took detailed note of the various processes of propagation of cymbidium orchid. The Minister also interacted with members of the Farmers’ Producers Organisation.(IPR)