Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare visited ICAR Sikkim Centre

PIB, KalimNews, Gangtok 18th January: 2016 ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok is pioneering development of organic production technologies for agriculture and horticulture crops for last 12 years. Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare visited ICAR Sikkim Centre on 17 January 2016 to get acquainted with the research and development activities being carried out by the Centre. In his address, he highlighted the latest initiatives taken up by the Central Government for the benefit of farming community. He also discussed that Central Government is giving more focus on the KVKs for Lab to Land Program in order to make rapid transfer of developed technologies to the farmers. He also mentioned the importance of skill development especially in rural youths, women empowerment and stressed upon the increase in production of oilseed and pulses in the State. The Union Minister also emphasized upon the importance of amicable environment in and around for the better functioning of the organization.

The  Union Minister and State Agriculture Minister Government of Sikkim, Shri Somnath Poudyal along with other dignitaries visited ICAR Sikkim Centre research farm and Joint Director, ICAR Sikkim Centre briefed about the research and development activities of the Centre. The  Union Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed buildings viz., Administrative Block-cum-Conference Hall, Research Farm Office and Mini Seed Testing-cum-Storage facility at the ICAR Sikkim Centre.

The Union Minister released various publications related to the organic farming and distributed soil health cards and various input viz., plastics for low cost plastic tunnels, Jalkunds and vermibeds, biofertilizer, biopesticides, mushroom spawns, day old chicks, cole crop seedlings and other input to the progressive farmers. He also genially interacted with the gathering present in the hall. Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Sikkim Centre proposed vote of thanks.