Namchi, 16 Aug (IPR): Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandary and Veterinary Services (AH&VS) and IPR Departments, Shri Lok Nath Sharma, launched the model village of Mamley Kamrang GPU in the presence of guest of honor, Smt. Krishna Kumari Rai (spouse of HCM), at a programme held at the auditorium hall of Namchi Government College, Kamrang today.

The meeting has the presence of Cabinet Ministers, Shri K.N. Lepcha, Shri Samdup Lepcha, Shri M.N. Sherpa and Shri Sanjit Kharel, Chairman STCS, Shri Bishnu Khatiwara, MLA Zoom Salghari Constituency, Smt. Sunita Gazmer and Administrative Advisor to HCM, Shri M.P. Subba.

The programne also had the presence of Secretary, Agriculture, Shri Khorlo Bhutia, Secretary, Horticulture, Shri D.K. Bhandari, Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Shri S.B. Subba, Managing Director, Sikkim Milk Union, Dr. A.B. Karki, DC (South), Shri Ragul K., alongside HoDs of various departments under South Districts, officials of various line departments, stakeholders and public and representatives of Mamley Kamrang GPU.

Addressing the launch programme, chief guest Shri Lok Nath Sharma expressed his delight over the selection of Mamley Kamrang GPU under 10 Poklok Kamrang constituency as a model village under South district.

In his address, the Minister elaborated a model village to be a sustainable community that is able to generate and maintain the available resources necessary to improve its level of well being by strengthening the sustainability pillars of livelihood, infrastructure and services of Mamley Kamrang GPU.

The Minister informed that various line departments in a uniform manner will implement different programmes and initiatives to upgrade the GPU in a hollistic manner.

Furthermore, he spoke about how development of a model GPU brings about an integrated development which works towards achieving holistic and sustainable development backed up by futuristic and progressive skills leading to higher levels of productivity and improvement in overall quality of life of the public. He further urged the progressive farmers and other stakeholders of the area to work in coordination with each other inorder to realize the objective of a model GPU.

The Minister also added that technology, community involvement, sustainability and connectivity will be the key elements of the model GPU, and any efforts towards convergence must rely extensively on these approaches.

Secretary, Agriculture, Shri Khorlo Bhutia, stated that the concept of a ‘Model Village’ which has been conceptualized by the HCM will see one Model GPU in all four districts of Sikkim. He stated that Chingthang GPU in West, Mamley Kamrang GPU in South, Ray Mendu GPU in East and Ringhem GPU in North have all selected to be developed as model GPUs in the state.

He reiterated that departments in convergence with each other will implement all central and state schemes with full force and effect in Mamley Kamrang. Shri. Bhutia also spoke in brief about Chief Minister’s vision of Green Economy and stressed upon how the stakeholders should all endeavor to work towards achieving the missions of Green Economy.

The meeting also saw Secretary (Horticulture), Shri D.K. Bhandari, throwing light on the economic scope of tourism in the model GPU which will aid the youth and public of the area to be self-sufficient and self-reliant. He spoke about the set-up of Central Nursery which will facilitiate the production of seedlings of fruits such as oranges, kiwis and bananas as well vegetables and spices such as ginger, turmeric and cardamon as per land suitability.

Additionally, he also spoke about the varied opportunities that progressive farmers of Mamley Kamrang GPU can avail through training programmes, study tours and farm visits which will aid them in their agricultural practices.

Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS), Shri S.B. Subba, also addressed the programme where he spoke about the economic visibilities rendered by trout farming, bee keeping and livestock production. He brought to light the numerous training programmes and government enabled initiatives that the Directorate of AH&VS will be providing to the potential public of the model GPU.

The programme also saw the chief guest handing over tokens and benefits of power tillers, power sprays pump, tubular structure green house, irrigation pipes, turmeric grinder, community tanks, piglets, poultry and goats to the beneficiaries of Mamley Kamrang GPU.

The programme was also addressed by guest of honor Smt. Krishna Kumari Rai, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Law & Parliamentary Affairs Departments, LR&DM, Sports and Youth Affairs Departments, Shri K.N. Lepcha, and MD, Sikkim Milk Union, Dr. A.B. Karki.