14 April 2020, 2:48 am
Covid 19 : Minister Agri & Horti Discussion with Line Dept during Lockdown
This article has been preserved from The Voice Of Sikkim historical news collection and reflects information available at the time of its original publication.
Covid 19 : Minister Agri & Horti Discussion with Line Dept during Lockdown
Gangtok, April 13: (IPR) Hon'ble Minister for Agriculture and Horticulture Departments Govt. of Sikkim, Shri Lok Nath Sharma called a coordination meeting of the concerned departmental officials to gear up for reinvigoration and smooth conduct of Agricultural and Horticultural activities in the field, amid global COVID-19 crisis, at the conference hall of Tashiling Secretariat, Gangtok, today.
The meeting also had the presence of the Pr.Secretary, Agriculture and Horticulture Deptts. Shri R. Telang, Secretary Agriculture Shri Rinzing C Bhutia, Secretary Horticulture Shri MT Sherpa, CEO Sikkim Organic Mission Dr S Anbalagan, Pr. Directors, Directors, Schemes Incharge and Senior officials.
After a daylong brainstorming contemplation and discussion for notable improvement in the departmental activities, Minister Sharma directed the concerned officials to train the manpower appointed under One Family One Job scheme and make use of the available human resources for execution of the field exercise.
He advised officials to educate farmers on technical aspects through training programmes in the field and also to formulate planning for marketing of the Agriculture and Horticulture produce.
Minister also anticipated for proactive role from the schemes head and directed for time bound implementation and accomplishment of schemes without any delay.
Further he urged them to act against challenges in the field for the benefits and welfare of the farmers in all districts, collectively.
While interacting with the schemes Incharge, Minister Lok Nath Sharma affirmed to carry out extensive exercise for surplus production of vegetables to meet up growing demands. He stressed to ensure? availability of quality seeds to the farmers, sufficiently? and further urged officials not to compromise in terms of quality and quantity of seeds at any cost. He urged to put extra efforts to ensure marketing of the production of the farmers.
He also directed to identify interested and progressive farmers in the villages and to work out for replacement and repairing of existing structure of green house and to make every structures functional.
He also urged everyone to extend extra efforts and cooperation to resolve pending issues and administrative affairs for smooth conduct of assigned? responsibilities.? Minister also expressed gratitude to SIMFED and entire team members working in the field tirelessly, during the period of Lockdown.
Principal Secretary Shri R Telang, urged to focus on motive and objectives of the existence of the department for the welfare of the farmers and their interests.
?He drew lights on core purpose of the department and stressed on the need of improvement in execution of work and urged to shift work culture from reactive to proactive mode.
?He also advised to have proper planning and remain updated on the database of seeds and farmers inputs. Pr. Secretary Shri R Telang also urged to work for increase in the production of seeds in the State. He also suggested to formulate a comprehensive action plan for the production of vegetables and to conduct inter departmental review meeting on regular intervals for proper implementation of schemes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
The meeting thoroughly disussed on preparation of strategic planning for surplus production of vegetables, production and marketing practices of various fruits like orange, kiwi, strawberry, avocado, banana etc,? production of spices like cardamom, turmeric, chili, tissue culture of ginger and creation of water resources, integrated post harvest management and establishmentof marketing infrastructure, Integrated Nutrient Management, Integrated Pest Management, National Bamboo Mission under Horticulture Department.
Schemes Heads and Concerned Incharge of Agriculture Deptt. drew lights on current status and progress report of various programmes including Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Soil Health Management, RKVY, National Food Security Mission (NFSM), controlling measures to mitigate infestations, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana(PMKSY), Farm Mechanization etc. The concerned secretaries coordinated the interactive session with invaluable inputs of their respective departments.
CEO Dr. S Anbalagan also presented progress report and status of Mission Organic Value Chain Development (MOVCD) and its three components including Production, Processing and Marketing.
Assessment of losses of Cut Flower in farmers field during the period of lockdown, was also discussed during the meeting.