Minister of State (DoNER) and Co-operation, Government of India, Shri B.L Verma arrived in the State Capital today. The Union Minister was accorded a warm welcome at Rangpo by senior officers of the State Government

Gangtok, Nov 24 (IPR): Minister of State (DoNER) and Co-operation, Government of India, Shri B.L Verma arrived in the State Capital today.
The Union Minister was accorded a warm welcome at Rangpo by senior officers of the State Government.
Later, he met and interacted with officers of the Cooperation Department, Government of Sikkim.
During his two-day visit, the Minister will visit various places and attend official meetings

Week Long ‘Paddy Harvesting Festival 2021’ concludes successfully in West Sikkim

Gyalshing, November 24 ( IPR) A week long Paddy Harvesting Festival 2021, organised at Toyang under Yangthang, West Sikkim concluded with the phenomenonal spirit of farming practices and traditional cultural events, today.
The Minister, Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Shri Lok Nath Sharma graced the occassion as the chief guest and Minister-cum-Area MLA Shri Bhim Hang Subba was present as the guest of honour. The programme also had the presence of Advisors, Chairmen, Panchayats, Secretary Agriculture Shri Rinzing C Bhutia, Secretary AH&VS Dr Sangey D. Bhutia, Principal Director Horticulture Shri Sadan Tamang, officials, farmers and others.
On the occasion, both the Ministers came forward to take part in “Kunew phorney/Dahin” exercise along with the farmers.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Sharma congratulated Yangthang constituency for organizing unique paddy harvesting festival and setting example in promotion of farming practices in traditional tune.
He elucidated governmental initiatives accomplished under the leadership of the Chief Minister and mentioned that the ruling government has given utmost priority in agriculture and livestock farming sectors for sustainable upliftment of rural population.
He informed that the state government recently accorded approval to provide 35 percentage subsidy in fisheries sector under Skill Startup scheme. Further, he highlighted fisheries potential of the locality and informed that, atleast nineteen families from the constituency were benefited with Intensive Carp Farming and Raceway Trout Farming.
He also highlighted financial benefits of Production Incentive being provided under ‘Mukhyamantri Krishi Atmanirbhar Yojana’ and urged departmental official and all concerned to give priority in transforming the society by promoting agriculture and livestock farming.
He also highlighted financial incentives in Dairy and Piggery sectors under ‘Mukhya Mantri Pashudhan Samridhi Yojana’ and elaborated provision of subsidy under ‘Mukhya Mantri Matshya Utpadan Yojana’, Development Through Credit and other farmer friendly schemes. Minister Sharma also touched upon provision of 50 percent subsidy under ‘National Livestock Mission’.
He also recalled governmental initiatives taken up for the Sanskrit teachers in recent years, launching of Sikkim Ad-hoc Teachers Regularisation Policy 2021 and ‘Sikkim Garib Awas Yojana’.
The organizing committee also felicitated both the ministers, volunteers and individuals for their contributions to succeed the event. Shri Birkhaman Limboo was also honoured for applaudable role in transforming large area of barren land into cultivable land in the locality.
During the programme, over one hundred farming household received agricultural tools and farming machines including power tiller, fabricated green house, water harvesting Genap Tank, Water Harvesting Flexi Tank, Pulverizer Machine, Knapsack Sprayer Machine, HDPE Pipe, Chaff cutter, Goattery, Sheep, poultry farming, Intensive Carp Farming, Trout Culture in Raceway etc.
The programme also saw colourful traditional cultural performances and traditional stalls. The final match of the volleyball tournament was also played between Kyongsa Youth Club -A and Super 6, 7th Mile, won by former and lifted the winning trophy along with cash award.
Earlier, Chairman SIDICO Shri Janak Gurung, who was also the patron of organizing committee, proposed welcome address and the Additional Political Secretary to HCM (West) Shri Madhu Sudan Sharma presented thanks note to down the curtain of seven days long Paddy harvesting festival 2021

Meeting on upcoming Krishi Mela-cum-distribution Program at Melli, South

Namchi, Nov 23 (IPR): Minister, Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Mr Lok Nath Sharma held a meeting with the departmental official of South District with regard to organizing ‘Krishi Mela-cum-distribution Program’ in Melli constituency, today.
The meeting had the presence of Additional Political Secretary (South) Ms Anjeeta Rajalim, Additional (Director) Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services / (South) Dr Artha Lall Rai, Joint Director (Horticulture) Dr Dikendra Bhujel, Joint Director (Agriculture) Dr Pratap Subba, officials, social activists and others.
The Meeting had detail discussion on various components to be included in Krishi mela namely exhibition of Self Help Groups, distribution of subsidised loan under Development Through Credit, Awareness generation on farmers friendly schemes, token distributions and many others. The day long programme has been scheduled to be held on 8th December 2021.
Minister Sharma also suggested official’s to encourage participation of students during the Krishi Mela to enhance their practical skills in farming.
Additionally, he also shared that a notable growth is observed in Dairy sectors in the state with sharp rise in production of milk and formation of new Milk Producers Cooperatives Societies.
Dr Dikendra Bhujel, informed that the department has released around Rupees fifty five lakhs as production incentives to over one thousand farmers in the first installment in South District under newly launched Mukhya Mantri Krishi Atmanirbhar Yojana. The Farmers have received the production incentives of notified crops, vegetables and fruits through Direct Bank Transferred