Gyalshing, June 17, 2020 (IPR): A meeting to discuss for the development of Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry in West Sikkim was held today at DAC Conference hall. The meeting was chaired by Karma R. Bonpo, DC West accompanied by Shri. T. T. Bhutia (SDM Yuksam); Dr. Kishor Thapa, Joint Director, Deptt of AH & VS, Shri. Jigmee Dorjee Lepcha (Executive Engineer, Agriculture West); Shri. S.M. Limboo (B.D.O Yaksum), Shri. Bishnu Sharma (R.O Tashiding), Dechen Lepcha (Asst. Director Fisheries) and Shri. P. R. Sharma (R.S Tashiding).
DC West held a preliminary meeting to explore the possibility of taking up community farming at the remote villages of Mangnam, Karjee, Mandher, Narkhola and Duphidhara in west Sikkim. He stated that plans are being explored for aggregating the landholding and creating a land pool of about 500 acres. Once the land pool is created the agriculture development on these lands will be taken up on a massive scale. The District Collector stated a holistic plan involving all departments such as Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Rural development, fisheries and social forestry needs to be prepared. He directed the animal husbandry department to explore the possibility of setting up a 500 unit dairy farm on the community land. Similarly, horticulture, agriculture and fisheries were directed to submit plans for the development of the respective sectors. The BDO was directed to explore the possibility of fodder plantation development in the area. Similarly, social forestry was directed to take up fodder plantation in the adjoining khasmal and gaucharan lands.
The DC stated that a preliminary survey of the land will be undertaken and details of the projects are being worked upon. He further stated that the pandemic has taught the importance of being self-sufficient in agriculture. The major focus should now be on organic food production and every land should be used for achieving this.
The District Collector stated that the project proposal needs to submit to the government soon and directed all departments to work on their respective areas.