Sensitization Workshop on Agri-Business Entrepreneurship Development in Sikkim organized

5^th September, 2019, Sikkim

The ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute, Tadong organized a “Sensitization Workshop on Agri-Business Entrepreneurship Development in Sikkim” today.

The Chief Guest, Shri Khorlo Bhutia, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Government of Sikkim said that such efforts will certainly help in boosting the number of entrepreneurs in the State. He mentioned about 28 FPOs in Sikkim which need to work on end-to-end basis starting from the production, processing to marketing. Shri Bhutia highlighted about the various Government schemes and their subsidies available for establishing the entrepreneurs/start-ups.

The Guest of Honour, Shri D.K. Bhandari, Secretary, Department of Horticulture, Government of Sikkim highlighted the horticultural crops’ importance for the Agri-Business Entrepreneurship Development. He urged the farmers for up-scaling their production to make ground breaking progress.

Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI emphasized on the role being played by the Institute in the development of organic production technologies in the State. He encouraged the participants for learning the organic farming technologies and working with dedication to become successful entrepreneurs. He assured the farmers for facilitating the incubation of new start-ups/entrepreneurs through the ABI, Sikkim Centre.

Earlier, during the Technical Session, Smt. Asha Lama, Director, Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Government of Sikkim assured her full support in developing the successful entrepreneurs in Sikkim.

The Officials from the various Line Departments, viz., MSME, SIMFED, NABARD, SAMETI, Department of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, Government of Sikkim interacted with the farmers and shared their schemes during the occasion.

The farmers also depicted their products like organic mushrooms, handicraft items, herbal tea and other items to showcase their start-ups during the occasion.

A total of 55 officials and farmers participated in the workshop.

(Source: ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute, Tadong, Sikkim)