One more feather has been added in the cap of Horticulture and Cash Crops Development Department with the department bagging the first prize in the Northeast Regional Horticulture Show held in Guwahati from February 10 - 14, as per a press release received from Director, Horticulture and Cash Crops Development Department. The State had earlier bagged the first prize for best stall in International Flora Expo 2007 held in Delhi during September, which seems to have set the stage for a spree of wins.
The Horticulture Department had showcased the horticulture advancement of the State through display of exotic Cymbidiums in blooms, cut flowers of rose & anthurium and many more other enchanting flowers in addition to other horticultural produce like fruits, vegetables and spices. The overall display was conceived with the idea of projecting Sikkim as an emerging floriculture and organic State.
The contingent of horticulture department was led by Mr. T.P. Pradhan, Advisor, Horticulture with two officers as members. Mr.Somnath Poudyal, Minister for Agriculture & Horticulture was present as a special invitee on the closing ceremony of the event on February 14 which also had the presence of Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Rural Development and Minister of Public Health Engineering, Government of Assam. Governor of Assam, Lt. General (Retd) Mr. Ajay Singh graced the occasion as the chief guest.
Mr. Poudyal, speaking as special guest of the function, highlighted the various horticultural activities being carried out in Sikkim. Emphasizing on the importance of market and its significance, he urged all the Northeastern States to come together under one banner. In his address, he stressed on organic farming, as an important avenue for value addition particularly in the smaller states of the North-Eastern Region. He added that floriculture is one sector which is already showing promising signs of success in the region.
He also apprised the audience about, the forthcoming International Florishow 2008 to be held in Sikkim from March, 14th to 16th 2008 and extended a warm invitation to the Minister of Agriculture, Government of Assam and all others to attend this milestone event.
The Chief Guest for the event, the Governor of Assam, Lt.General (Retd.) Mr. Ajay Singh in his address urged the Northeastern States to create a common marketing platform similar to that of the European Union. He also congratulated the Government of Sikkim for being adjudged the best in the horticulture show and extended his best wishes and regards to the Governor of Sikkim as well as to the Chief Minister of Sikkim.
On the invitation of Mr. Kamesh Salam, Director, Cane and Bamboo Technology Center (CBTC), Mr. Somnath Poudyal visited CBTC on February 14, which has a very good museum of bamboo products from many countries and a training center. Mr. Salam briefed the Minister about the activities of the CBTC and the National Bamboo Mission on a power¬point slide show. They also discussed at length on the future prospects of bamboo in Sikkim.
Mr. Salam suggested that Sikkim still has room for development in the bamboo handicrafts sector. This activity can be allocated to Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts (DHH). The responsibility on the Transfer of Bamboo Technology through Skill Development should also be allocated to the DHH. Panchayats, Self-Help Groups, and the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) should be mobilized under Cooperatives for the production of bamboo handicrafts. A Bamboo Bazar show room could be established in Gangtok, and the CBTC is more than willing to assist its establishment. Sikkim has good prospects of becoming a bamboo handicraft hub for West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Chhatisgarh for demonstration as well as training programmes under the National Bamboo Mission.
Mr. P.P.Poudyal, Bamboo Consultant for Horticulture department also accompanied the minister.