Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road, Transport, Highway and Shipping visited Cymbidium Development Centre at Tissue-culture unit under Horticulture Department at Rumtek

Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road, Transport, Highway and Shipping visited Cymbidium Development Centre at Tissue-culture unit under Horticulture Department at Rumtek on 21-04-2017. He was accompanied by Shri Somnath Paudyal, Minister of Agriculture, Shri S. C. Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Shri Puneet Kansal, Commissioner cum Secretary, Agriculture and senior officers of Agriculture & Horticulture Department, Government of Sikkim.

The Union Minister was taken around the unit and was explained about the activities of the centre by Miss Pema Choden Bhutia, Deputy Director Horticulture, in-charge of the unit. He was happy to see the different stages of orchid cultivation under controlled condition and flowering orchids in green houses. After the visit of the unit, the Union Minister also held meeting with the farmers of Sajong Rumtek and had a fruitful interaction and gave important tips to the farmers. He advised department to explore solar power, cold storage, solar roofed refrigerated vans and Amino acid based bio-fertilizer.

In the evening, a power point presentation on Organic Movement of Sikkim was made by Executive Director, Sikkim Organic Mission at a local hotel. The objective, goal and mission of the Organic Mission were explained to the dignitaries. The presentation also included the details of Organic journey from the year 2003 to 2016 with strategies and present status. He was also informed about the formation of Sikkim State Certification Agency (SSOCA) and implementation of Mission Organic value chain Development – North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER). The mode of distribution of different inputs under MOVCD-NER schemes using Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through e-voucher card system where demonstrated. The representative from the service provider bank (HDFC Bank), Multi Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS) and beneficiaries also attended the presentation. He advised to have tie-up with National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Anand, Safal (Mother Dairy) and Patanjali for marketing of Organic products.
Source IPR