Namchi, 29 May, 2012:

Minister Food Security & Agriculture Minister DN Thakarpa today inaugurated the first seed testing laboratory at Jorethang South Sikkim which will be providing seeds for South and West District. Minister Thakarpa was also accompanied by MLA Madan Cintury, Chairman Jorethang Nagar Panchayat Purostam Agarwal.

Addressing the function Minister DN Thakarpa said that it is the vision of Sikkim to be the first organic State in the country within 2015 and the laboratory plays an important role. The lab should function well and it will be the source of income for the growers in the South and the West he said. The officer has to be responsible and has to have concern for the lab. The Sikkim government has been trying hard for this vision thought he State has limited cultivable land. Till date 8000 hectares of the land is certified as organic land but the import of the seeds from the other States had made the zero value of the production said the Minister. But, now the lab will be providing seeds of more value in production.

He also informed that department will soon come out with the layouts of organic seeds in every market in the State from where the farmers can get the seeds.

MLA Madan Cintury in his address said that agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry is only the basic income source of the 75% people of Sikkim and government has given maximum priority in this sector. The government is fulfilling every need of the farmers. He also suggested giving benefits and scheme will not help the farmers, awareness and the training must be given to the farmers.

Later, Principal Director SPU PK Dewan placed his technical report of this seed testing unit.

The programme was also addressed by the Additional Director DK Rai where he informed, seed testing unit has been opened aiming purity and better seed quality and this unit will help all the progressive farmers of South and West district. With this unit it will not only help the farmers but the production quality and the quantity too.

The programme was also attended by Principal Director Phatuk Tsh. Bhutia, JD (S) FS & AD Sonkil Lepcha, Chief Engineer SK Pal and other officers from the department.

Earlier Minister, MLA, Secretary and other officers also visited this seed testing laboratory and the entire unit.

Sikkim Mail

 

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