Gangtok, June 04 (IPR): A total of nine Vehicles for the transportation of certified organic local farm produce under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY) was flagged of by the Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Shri Lok Nath Sharma, at Krishi Bhawan, Tadong, today.
The programme was organized by the Agriculture Department and had the presence of Secretary Agriculture Department, Mr. Rinzing Chewang Bhutia, Secretary Horticulture Department, Mr. M. T Sherpa, officials of Agriculture Department, District Agriculture in-charges from all the four districts of Sikkim and media personnel.
After flagging off the vehicles, the Hon’ble Minister, Mr. Lok Nath Sharma, mentioned that nine number of ISUZU pick-up trucks have been acquired by the State government to make it convenient for the farmers to market their produce. Under PKVY scheme, the Agriculture Department, Government of Sikkim, has created 84 clusters across 4 districts in Sikkim, after an extensive survey by the department officials. The vehicles will be placed under the disposal of district officers- Joint Director at the headquarter and Deputy Directors and ADOs in the sub-divisions. The vehicle can be availed by the farmers of these clusters whenever their organic produce is ready to be marketed, by paying a nominal charge that has been fixed by the department. The vehicle will be under the aegis of the Agriculture Department, but is to be only made available for the farmers.
The Hon’ble Minister also mentioned that understanding the great importance of farmers in our lives and that they are the most vital part of the society who fulfil our need for food, a vehicle of this kind is being provided to the farmers for the first time in Sikkim, under the thoughtful leadership and guidance of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri P. S. Tamang.
The Hon’ble Minister also mentioned that the farmers of Sikkim have been provided with Rs.6000/year in three instalments under the Prime Ministers Saman Nidhi Karyakram. 9997 beneficiaries have availed a total of Rs. 8cr 86 lac 59 thousand since the formation of the present government until now.
The Hon’ble Minister concluded his address by urging the district in-charges to be prompt in providing the vehicles to the farmers if and when they need it, so that the produce they harvest with utmost effort does not go to waste and is marketed efficiently in its best form. He extended his gratitude and congratulations to all the officials of the department for the success in acquiring these vehicles for the farmers. He extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Chief Minister for making this feat possible. The Hon’ble Minister also extended his congratulations and best wishes to the farmers of Sikkim to be presented with these vehicles and requested them to make utmost use of it with proper care and safety.
It is to be mentioned that, the Agriculture Department, Government of Sikkim, has created 84 organic village clusters across the State, of which 9 clusters are in North District and about 24 each in other districts of Sikkim.
