NABARD project for improving horticulture prospects of South Sikkim


OP Chettri

NAMCHI, July 17: The first phase of a Rs. 2 crores project of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Namthang for developing horticulture prospects of Kateng and other rural villages in South Sikkim, was launched today jointly by ministers DN Tarkapa and Tilu Gurung at the village.

The project for developing guava and orange orchards at Kateng is financed by NABARD under tribal development fund. The NABARD will be funding Rs. 1.8 crores required for the project while the farmers will have to bear the remaining amount of Rs. 20 lakhs themselves in form of labour and manure.

Namthang KVK programme coordinator Sherab L Dorjee informed that Kateng, Bokrong, Ruchung and Plitam villages will be covered in the first phase. The project will be extended to villages like Donok, Tek, Ahley, Kolbong and Passi in the second phase, she informed.

The project will cover 400 households with 150 households targeted in the first phase.

Tree saplings of two fruit species, guava (Allahabad Safeda variety) and Mandarin orange will be planted by the targeted households. The KVK South Sikkim will be looking after the maintenance of such saplings and will be monitoring the orchards for the next five years.

It was informed that the project also includes other allied activities like soil conservation, water resource development, training and capacity building, women development and community health.
Building & Housing minister Tilu Gurung, who is also the Namthang-Ratheypani constituency, said that the project is of great significance for Kateng and surrounding areas. This project will bring development in the area, she said expressing her hopes that Kateng will create records in horticulture sector in the State.

Agriculture minister DN Takarpa highlighted that the Sikkim Democratic Front government is working tirelessly to improve the economic conditions of the Sikkimese people through various income generating schemes.

This particular project will bring a new dawn in the villages of South Sikkim, sadi Takarpa.

NABARD general manager BK Dey briefed the gathering about the project