Hill farmers 'yet to taste' GTA agro-fair fruits

SNS, Kurseong, 11 May 2014: Despite several efforts being made by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) for the revival and promotion of the agricultural sector, farmers in Darjeeling Hills are yet to reap the benefits.

Farmers here say the several efforts, including the annual agriculture and horticulture fairs that the GTA organizes at various places in the Hills by spending crores of rupees have brought about no marked changes in the agriculture system and the farmers.

Rudra Tamang, a farmer from Majua Busty under the Kurseong sub-division, said the farming methods and the agricultural output in his village remain what they were many years ago.

“Around two years ago, farmers of this area received some black cardamom seedlings through the GTA sabha member, but they later didn’t do well and the seedlings died. Besides this, in the last Krishi-Mela, we received some maize seeds, but nothing has been provided to us by the GTA as well as the state government after that,” Mr Tamang said.

Another farmer in Darjeeling who requested anonymity said he and his fellow farmers are yet to taste the fruits of the GTA efforts.

“We know that the GTA is organizing agriculture fairs and promoting the sector, but the actual farmers are yet to benefit from all these,” he said.

Assistant Director of Agriculture, Kurseong, DK Tamang, said several schemes and programmes of the state and central governments have been implemented at different places in the Kurseong block area by the GTA.

“Under our department, GTA member Yogendra Rai distributed black cardamom and other seedlings to the farmers,” he said.

He blamed the farmers for their plight as, according to him, they believe in “easy money” and cannot wait for things to take good shape.

GTA member Mr Rai said the GTA has been doing everything to revive and promote the agriculture sector in the Hills. “We have been organizing the Krishi Mela at different places in the Hills by spending crores of rupees every year,” he said.

“Apart from the seedlings, we have also distributed cattle and poultry,” he added.

 Mr Rai alleged that the GTA has not been able to provide sufficient facilities to the people due to the “interference of the state government in the GTA’s work,” and the lack of funds. He added that departments have not been fully transferred to the GTA.

“The GTA has already asked the central government to allot and release funds for various projects and schemes for the Hills. We will lay emphasis on the agriculture sector again in the Hills after the completion of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections,” he said.