Gangtok, June 02 (IPR): The Department of Horticulture, Government of Sikkim, handed over four numbers of Refrigerated Transport Vehicles to the Farmers Producers Organization (FPOs) and Progressive Farmers in a programme organised at Horticulture Farm, Majhitar, East Sikkim, today.
The Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Shri Lok Nath Sharma flagged off the Refrigerated Transport Vehicles and handed over the vehicle keys and documents to four FPOs and Progressive Farmers.
The recipients of refrigerated transportation vehicles were Khamdong Singtam Organic Farmers Producers Cooperative Society Ltd, East District, Alleydara Sanjivani SHG, South District, Lily Self Help Group from Tikpur and M/s Sikkim Vegetable Growers Association, Berthang, Hee Bermiok, West Sikkim. The cost of each vehicle is Rs. 18,19,995 (Eighteen Lakhs Nineteen Thousand Nine Hundred and Nighty Five only.
On the occasion, the Hon’ble Minister also launched the “White Marvel” Button Mushroom, produced and promoted by Integrated Mushroom Development Unit, Majhitar, Horticulture Department, Government of Sikkim.
Speaking on the occasion, the Hon’ble Minister highlighted the objectives of providing transportation vehicles to FPOs and SHGs. He mentioned that the transportation vehicles will make it convenient to ensure marketing of the vegetables produced in rural areas of Sikkim. He urged every beneficiary to wisely utilise the transportation vehicles with proper maintenance. He also informed that the vegetables can be stored in vehicles which has temperature control system with single phase AC provision that has storing capacity of fifteen Quintals.
He also mentioned that the Department of Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services have been working tirelessly to benefit the farmers of Sikkim even during the pandemic.
He also appealed to the farmers of Sikkim to continue the lucrative and life-saving profession of farming, extensively. He expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Chief Minister for making it possible to provide the much-needed transportation vehicles to the farmers. Minister Sharma also touched upon the various efforts of the state government to combat the ongoing crisis of COVID pandemic.
The Hon’ble Minister also mentioned that systematic training will be provided to the farmers of Sikkim to produce White Marvel Button Mushroom. The Unit will produce and supply newly launched mushroom to various parts of Sikkim and the collected revenue will be deposited in the Government’s account, he added.
Secretary Horticulture Shri M.T Sherpa in his opening remarks highlighted on the purpose of providing Transportation Vehicles and launching of White Marvel mushrooms. He informed that the White Marvel Button Mushrooms is purely organically produced by the Mushroom Production Unit.
The programme was also attended by the Director Horticulture Shri Sadan Tamang, MD SIMFED Shri Bhaskar Basnett, Additional Directors (Vegetable, Spices, National Bamboo Mission) Additional Chief Engineer, Joint Directors from all districts, officials and others. The programme was organized with due adherence to the Covid-19 safety protocol.
