The Hindu Business Line : Sikkim chalks out initiatives to promote horticulture

Need for cold storage facilities, setting up of outlets to market the produce within the State and outside it, and the need for a wider marketing network were also discussed.

Sarikah Atreya

Gangtok, Aug. 28 In an effort to exploit Sikkim’s horticultural and floricultural potential, the State Government has taken up various initiatives in the sector. District-Level Co-operative Societies and an ad hoc State-Level Producers’ Apex Cooperative Body for marketing various horticultural products with the wife of the Chief Minister, Ms Tika Maya Chamling, as its chairperson, has been set up along with ten members from each of the four Districts of the State.

This decision was taken at a State-Level Growers Meeting for horticultural producers organised here by the Department of Horticulture and Cash Crops Development.

Ms Chamling, a successful horticulturalist in her own right, presided over the meeting, which was attended by farmers from all over the State.

It deliberated in detail the ways and means to get best deal for farmers, and also addressed problems and issues faced by them.

Ms Chamling said that Sikkim had always set an exemplary standard in agricultural and farming, which needed to be given even more impetus in order to meet the challenges of current market demands.

Despite good production, the marketing of horticultural products has not come up to expectation, Ms Chamling said, adding, “the apex committee will focus on bringing new and innovative ideas for a solid marketing strategy outside of the State.” The farmers were also advised to ensure quality production.

Marketing

The point was also made at the meeting that despite quality horticulture produce, farmers often incurred huge losses due to the lack of proper marketing.

According to the farmers, there were times when they had to sell their produce at almost zero profit.

The need for cold storage facilities, setting up of outlets to market the produce within the State and outside it, and the need for a wider marketing network were also discussed at the meeting.

The Sikkim Government has set up an Rs 4-crore facility in the Greater Kailash area of New Delhi, with facilities such as cold storage rooms and a marketing outlet.

However, Ms Chamling said the facility had not been able to function as expected and was running at a loss.

It was decided that the facility in New Delhi would be leased out to a private organisation.

More Stories on : Horticulture/Fruits & Vegetables | Other States

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