Workshop for Small Tea Growers held in Kalimpong on Clean Energy Solutions in Tea Garden & Integrated Pest Management on Spices

Equipping Community for a Greener Future 

KalimNews, Kalimpong, December 26, 2023: With an aim to unite and amplify the collective voice of Climate Champions, equip communities with key tools, resources, new age skills and create a networked ecosystem for them to be the ambassadors of change a movement started by SwtichON Foundation was witnessed by the people of Kalimpong. 

As part of the Move the Earth Initiative, SwitchON Foundation organized a workshop in partnership with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri District Small Tea Growers Association on Clean Energy Solutions in Tea Garden & Integrated Pest Management on Spices. 

The workshop dealt with expert advice on natural and preventive measures to manage pests and provided the farmers with training and resources to implement Integrated Pest Management practices effectively, fostering long term resilience. 

This initiative will encourage urgent climate action and facilitate purposeful events and activities that will range from skill development training, stakeholder meetings, FPC capacity building, workshops etc.

Through clean energy solutions of solar equipment options, the workshop aimed to support small tea growers for increased productivity. The workshop also focussed on interlinkages between Sustainable agriculture and Clean Energy to assess the impact on solar technology and promote sustainable farming practices. 

The workshop was attended by the FPC members, Govt. representatives, senior scientists and small tea growers. Notable dignitaries present were Ms. Pranita Chettri ADA, Gopal Chandra Saha DDA Kalimpong, Ms. Bharti Chik Baraik BDO Lava, Mr. Tshering Bhutia, Project Manager, WBSRLM ,Mr. Amarendra Pandey Head Scientist COFAM, Dr. M W Moktan Senior Scientist and Head of KVK and dignitaries of Lava Tea Association.

The workshop was part of the Move For Earth, an cycle yatra to celebrate and inspire Climate Action. 

SwitchON Foundation, established in 2008, is a leading non-profit organisation focusing on Environment Sustainability and Equal Opportunities. Operating in 10 Indian states. It leads initiatives in Clean Energy Access, Sustainable Agriculture, Skilling, Clean Air and Sustainable Cities. Key strengths encompass innovative project implementation, capacity building, field support, awareness and advocacy.

The main motto of the ‘Move for Earth’ movement is to celebrate and inspire Climate Action with a purpose to build a smarter and brighter future for ourselves, our children, our farmers and life on earth. The whole movement would cover cycling over 864 km across different states in East India engaging Farmers, Youth, Government, Financiers, Technologists and Civil Society Organizations through its journey, and offer solutions to community-specific issues related to water, soil, energy and clean air, that are directly impacting the livelihood and health of citizens.

Earlier in the day The Move for Earth cycle yatra, which started on December 24, 2023, from Dalkhola reached Kalimpong today. Around 40 cyclists joined the cycle yatra from Kalimpong to inspire and celebrate climate action showing their support. Shri Rabi Pradhan, Chairman Municipal Corporation and Mr. Lendup Bhutia, Officer in Charge, Kalimpong Police Station flagged off the cycle yatra.

The flag off was done from Dambar Chowk, Lions Clock Tower, Kalimpong which will cover around 400 kms in North Bengal passing through Siliguri and culminate in Jalpaiguri on Dec 27, 2023.

Mr Vinay Jaju, Co-Founder of SwitchON Foundation said “During the journey we wish to connect with the farmers, women and youth of the areas to address the issues of sustainable agriculture, clean energy solutions and distributed renewable energy. We also plan to host a series of activities in cities, towns and villages across different states of India apart from North Bengal to build resilience with future friendly skills, technologies and practices to mitigate the climate crisis our planet Earth faces.”

Present at the occasion, Dr. M W Moktan Senior Scientist and Head of KVK expressed “It is really encouraging to witness such a great initiative by SwitchON Foundation to Move for betterment of the Earth, for amelioration of the climate change crisis. I congratulate SwitchON Foundation for taking up such a noble awareness drive. The deteriorating environment today needs rejuvenation and creating awareness for active participation of masses is one of the primary needs for a long term solution of the crisis. The initiatives being taken up by SwitchON Foundation in this regard are praiseworthy and I wish all success in this endeavour."

“I am very happy that SwitchON Foundation is organizing this special initiative called ‘Move for Earth’. This is the most important issue and will certainly complement the current efforts of the state government to build awareness among farmers and youth, and inspire them to take necessary actions” said Mr. Tshering Bhutia, Project Manager, WBSRLM.