Press Release
PRESS RELEASE FROM FISHERIES DEPARTMENT GOVT OF SIKKIM
Information & Public Relations Department
Soreng, 15th January 2025:
Shri Puran Kumar Gurung, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, and Fisheries Departments, Government of Sikkim, undertook an official tour to Soreng and Geyzing districts on 15th January 2025 to assess and promote the development of trout farming and aquaculture initiatives in the region. He was accompanied by Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department; Shri K. K. Shrestha, Director; Shri C. S. Rai, Additional Director; Shri Lobsang Tamang, Joint Director; Shri Duchen Lepcha, Deputy Director; Shri Surendra Bhandari, Assistant Director; Shri Yuvraj Sharma, Assistant Director; along with district field officers.
The Hon’ble Minister began his visit at the Government Trout Farm in Uttarey early in the morning, where he inspected the farm including the hatchery and checked the advancements in trout production and engaged with local farmers to understand their experiences and challenges.
Later, upon arriving at Upper Sreebadam, he visited private trout farms operated by progressive fish farmers, including Shri Arpan Gurung, Shri Samdup Bhutia, and Shri Kal Bahadur Gurung. A key highlight of the visit was a demonstration of trout breeding techniques at the hatchery of Shri Kal Bahadur Gurung, a pioneering figure in Sikkim’s trout farming sector.
In the afternoon, the Fisheries Department organized a Farmers Meet cum Outreach Campaign on Government Schemes to promote awareness of fisheries initiatives and support available for local farmers. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from fish farmers and stakeholders across the region. National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) registration desk was also kept for facilitating on spot registration of the farmers in the portal.
During the program, Shri Lobsang Tamang, Joint Director of Fisheries, welcomed the attendees and reiterated the department's commitment to supporting the fisheries sector. Shri Yuvraj Sharma, Assistant Director, detailed district activities and highlighted the success stories emerging from Sreebadam. Farmers received information about various government schemes, including the newly launched Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY), Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Entrepreneur Model, Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Group Accident Insurance Scheme (GAIS), Aquaculture Insurance, and the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP).
Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary appreciated the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by the farmers of Sreebadam in trout farming. She highlighted the government’s efforts to enhance infrastructure, such as hatchery development and capacity-building programs for farmers. She urged progressive farmers to mentor and support the growth of at least ten more successful farmers in the region to elevate trout farming to the next level. Mrs. Rai assured timely financial assistance and resource access through government initiatives.
Shri Puran Kumar Gurung, Hon’ble Minister, praised the resilience and dedication of local farmers in making Sreebadam a hub for trout farming. He congratulated Shri Samdup Bhutia, a progressive farmer, on receiving an invitation from the President of India to attend the “At Home-Reception” at Rashtrapati Bhawan on 26th January 2025, acknowledging this as a proud moment for the entire Fisheries Department. The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering aquaculture by strengthening market linkages, expanding infrastructure, and providing training programs. He encouraged farmers to adopt innovative practices positioning Soreng district as a leader in fish production in Sikkim. The Minister assured continued government support for private farm development, emphasizing the positive economic and social impacts these initiatives are fostering in rural communities.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks, recognizing the efforts of farmers, departmental officials, and stakeholders for their contributions to the event’s success.
Following the outreach campaign, the Minister attended a working lunch before departing for Gangtok. On the way, he visited the Rothak Carp Fish Farm to inspect ongoing work for establishing a brood bank under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme – Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (CSS-PMMSY).
The Fisheries Department remains steadfast in its mission to empower local fish farmers through comprehensive support, fostering growth and sustainability in aquaculture.
Shri Puran Kumar Gurung, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, and Fisheries Departments, Government of Sikkim, undertook an official tour to Soreng and Geyzing districts on 15th January 2025 to assess and promote the development of trout farming and aquaculture initiatives in the region. He was accompanied by Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department; Shri K. K. Shrestha, Director; Shri C. S. Rai, Additional Director; Shri Lobsang Tamang, Joint Director; Shri Duchen Lepcha, Deputy Director; Shri Surendra Bhandari, Assistant Director; Shri Yuvraj Sharma, Assistant Director; along with district field officers.
The Hon’ble Minister began his visit at the Government Trout Farm in Uttarey early in the morning, where he inspected the farm including the hatchery and checked the advancements in trout production and engaged with local farmers to understand their experiences and challenges.
Later, upon arriving at Upper Sreebadam, he visited private trout farms operated by progressive fish farmers, including Shri Arpan Gurung, Shri Samdup Bhutia, and Shri Kal Bahadur Gurung. A key highlight of the visit was a demonstration of trout breeding techniques at the hatchery of Shri Kal Bahadur Gurung, a pioneering figure in Sikkim’s trout farming sector.
In the afternoon, the Fisheries Department organized a Farmers Meet cum Outreach Campaign on Government Schemes to promote awareness of fisheries initiatives and support available for local farmers. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from fish farmers and stakeholders across the region. National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) registration desk was also kept for facilitating on spot registration of the farmers in the portal.
During the program, Shri Lobsang Tamang, Joint Director of Fisheries, welcomed the attendees and reiterated the department's commitment to supporting the fisheries sector. Shri Yuvraj Sharma, Assistant Director, detailed district activities and highlighted the success stories emerging from Sreebadam. Farmers received information about various government schemes, including the newly launched Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY), Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Entrepreneur Model, Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Group Accident Insurance Scheme (GAIS), Aquaculture Insurance, and the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP).
Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary appreciated the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by the farmers of Sreebadam in trout farming. She highlighted the government’s efforts to enhance infrastructure, such as hatchery development and capacity-building programs for farmers. She urged progressive farmers to mentor and support the growth of at least ten more successful farmers in the region to elevate trout farming to the next level. Mrs. Rai assured timely financial assistance and resource access through government initiatives.
Shri Puran Kumar Gurung, Hon’ble Minister, praised the resilience and dedication of local farmers in making Sreebadam a hub for trout farming. He congratulated Shri Samdup Bhutia, a progressive farmer, on receiving an invitation from the President of India to attend the “At Home-Reception” at Rashtrapati Bhawan on 26th January 2025, acknowledging this as a proud moment for the entire Fisheries Department. The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering aquaculture by strengthening market linkages, expanding infrastructure, and providing training programs. He encouraged farmers to adopt innovative practices positioning Soreng district as a leader in fish production in Sikkim. The Minister assured continued government support for private farm development, emphasizing the positive economic and social impacts these initiatives are fostering in rural communities.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks, recognizing the efforts of farmers, departmental officials, and stakeholders for their contributions to the event’s success.
Following the outreach campaign, the Minister attended a working lunch before departing for Gangtok. On the way, he visited the Rothak Carp Fish Farm to inspect ongoing work for establishing a brood bank under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme – Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (CSS-PMMSY).
The Fisheries Department remains steadfast in its mission to empower local fish farmers through comprehensive support, fostering growth and sustainability in aquaculture.