The Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Shri Lok Nath Sharma, Hon’ble Area MLA Namcheybung Constituency, Shri Em Prasad Sharma and Political Secretary to HCM Shri Jacob Khaling, attended the traditional festival of ‘Asar Pandhra’ where they joined the local gentry in relishing the traditional experience of rice plantation. The farmers expressed their joy and excitement as they joined the dignitaries in ploughing and planting.
Secretary, Agriculture Department Shri Rinzing C Bhutia, Secretary AH&VS Department Dr Sangey D Bhutia, and senior officials from Agriculture, Horticulture and AH &VS Departments also participated in the planting the paddy saplings.
Speaking to the media, the Hon’ble Minister extended his warm wishes to the farming community on the occasion of Asar Pandhra. He expressed his happiness on the participation of the dignitaries and officials as a mark of respect to the entire farming community. The state government under the leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang is determined for the upliftment and welfare of the farmers, comprehensively. He reiterated the financial incentive of Rs. 8/ Litre of Milk, introduced by the state government and also shared the plans of the Government to offer attractive increment in per kilogram production of Cardamom and other notified crops in near future.
He also shared an accomplishment of the ruling government in implementing Pradhan Mantri Krishi Samman Nidhi Yojana and informed that, around 9100 (Nine Thousand and One Hundred) farmers have been benefited under the scheme with the allocated fund of approximately Rupees. Eight Crore Fifty Lakhs.
The Hon’ble Minister appealed to every household, irrespective of social and economic background, to adopt farming for the strengthening of the economy and to realize the vision of the Government for a Atma Nirbhar or Self Reliant Sikkim.
Political Secretary to HCM Shri Jacob Khaling also extended his warm greetings to the farming community and stated that the State Government has initiated several beneficial schemes for the welfare of the farmers. Elucidating the importance and indispensability of the farming profession, he added that, nothing seems possible in nature without agriculture, hence, all the people should consider and adopt farming as their lifestyle.
Hon’ble MLA Shri Em Prashad Sharma also extended his best wishes to the farmers on the special occasion of ‘Asar Pandra’.
After participating in ploughing and planting on the field, the dignitaries joined the farmers in savoring the special traditional delicacy of curd and beaten rice (dahi cheura).
