News & Announcement
North Sikkim Speciality Coffee Plantation Programme Launched at KVK Mangan
Mangan, June 24: The inaugural programme of the North Sikkim Speciality Coffee Plantation Programme under the North Sikkim Impact District initiative was held at KVK Mangan today. The initiative is being undertaken by the Government of Sikkim in collaboration with AgrImpact Ventures, California, and SocioLadder India. It aims to create new livelihood opportunities for farmers and strengthen the rural economy through sustainable and market-linked agriculture.
North Sikkim has been identified for the initiative owing to its favourable agro-climatic conditions, rich biodiversity and strong organic farming heritage. The programme forms part of the broader North Sikkim Impact District initiative, which seeks to strengthen agricultural value chains, promote sustainable farming practices and improve livelihood opportunities for farming communities.
Addressing the gathering, Secretary, Horticulture Department, Mr Tshering Thendup Bhutia, highlighted the potential of coffee cultivation in Sikkim. He said the global demand for speciality coffee is growing steadily. He noted that while large cardamom remains an important crop for the State, coffee can serve as an additional source of income for farmers. He added that the initiative could help diversify agriculture, improve livelihoods and create new opportunities for rural communities.
CEO, AgrImpact Ventures, California, Mr Shravan Charya, presented the project roadmap and the growing demand for speciality coffee in international markets. He highlighted the potential of producing Himalayan-certified organic speciality coffee in North Sikkim, building on Sikkim's reputation as an organic State. He outlined plans for site surveys, technical assessments, farmer onboarding, plantation development, training programmes, local processing facilities and quality testing infrastructure. He also spoke about strengthening market linkages and creating access to premium domestic and international markets for local produce. He stated that the initiative seeks to bring together farmers, government agencies and technical institutions to support sustainable agricultural development in the district.
Mr Charya further informed that the broader North Sikkim Impact District initiative also envisages strengthening value chains for crops such as Sikkim Mandarin and Large Cardamom through improved post-harvest management, value addition, processing facilities and market access. He said the initiative aims to enhance the value of local agricultural produce while creating long-term economic opportunities for farming communities.
Joint Director, Coffee Board of India, Mr Parth Chaudhary, spoke on the Board's technical support and initiatives in the North Eastern region. He stated that India is the seventh-largest coffee producer in the world and that coffee is the country's second-largest export commodity after petroleum. He familiarised the gathering with speciality coffee cultivation through a presentation showcasing successful coffee plantations in Nagaland. Using photographs, he highlighted plantation practices and the progress achieved in the neighbouring State. He said the proposed area under cultivation and the projected yield would be challenging to achieve with a single variety. He therefore suggested including additional coffee varieties along with the premium Geisha Arabica cultivar to ensure sustainability and adaptability. He assured the Board's support in providing certified planting materials, technical guidance and training for farmers and requested that planting material requirements be communicated in advance.
Addressing the gathering, Minister for Forest and Environment, Mr Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, highlighted the significance of the initiative and the opportunities it could create for the people of North Sikkim. He said the State Government is working to strengthen the production of large cardamom while also exploring new opportunities for farmers. He described coffee cultivation as a valuable addition to the region's agricultural sector. He urged all stakeholders to undertake proper scientific assessments and work collectively towards the successful implementation of the project. He expressed confidence that the initiative would contribute to the economic welfare of the people and the overall development of the district.
The programme also featured an interactive session where progressive farmers shared their views and concerns. Discussions focused on cultivation practices, labour availability, planting materials and the phased implementation of the project. Farmers noted that coffee cultivation is new to the region and expressed some reservations due to their limited experience with the crop. They suggested that coffee cultivation be taken up on a trial basis before large-scale expansion and emphasised the need for careful selection of beneficiaries.
Officials informed that the project is currently in its preliminary stage. Site surveys and technical assessments will be conducted before further implementation. Once operational, the initiative is expected to create new market opportunities for farmers, strengthen agricultural livelihoods, encourage value addition of local produce and contribute to the socio-economic development of North Sikkim.
The programme had the esteemed presence of Upadakshya Mangan, Ms Sonam Kipa Bhutia, Chairperson Horticulture Ms Ongkit Lepcha, senior officers of the Horticulture Department (Head Office), Officers of KVK Mangan and senior officers of the Horticulture Department Mangan.
North Sikkim has been identified for the initiative owing to its favourable agro-climatic conditions, rich biodiversity and strong organic farming heritage. The programme forms part of the broader North Sikkim Impact District initiative, which seeks to strengthen agricultural value chains, promote sustainable farming practices and improve livelihood opportunities for farming communities.
Addressing the gathering, Secretary, Horticulture Department, Mr Tshering Thendup Bhutia, highlighted the potential of coffee cultivation in Sikkim. He said the global demand for speciality coffee is growing steadily. He noted that while large cardamom remains an important crop for the State, coffee can serve as an additional source of income for farmers. He added that the initiative could help diversify agriculture, improve livelihoods and create new opportunities for rural communities.
CEO, AgrImpact Ventures, California, Mr Shravan Charya, presented the project roadmap and the growing demand for speciality coffee in international markets. He highlighted the potential of producing Himalayan-certified organic speciality coffee in North Sikkim, building on Sikkim's reputation as an organic State. He outlined plans for site surveys, technical assessments, farmer onboarding, plantation development, training programmes, local processing facilities and quality testing infrastructure. He also spoke about strengthening market linkages and creating access to premium domestic and international markets for local produce. He stated that the initiative seeks to bring together farmers, government agencies and technical institutions to support sustainable agricultural development in the district.
Mr Charya further informed that the broader North Sikkim Impact District initiative also envisages strengthening value chains for crops such as Sikkim Mandarin and Large Cardamom through improved post-harvest management, value addition, processing facilities and market access. He said the initiative aims to enhance the value of local agricultural produce while creating long-term economic opportunities for farming communities.
Joint Director, Coffee Board of India, Mr Parth Chaudhary, spoke on the Board's technical support and initiatives in the North Eastern region. He stated that India is the seventh-largest coffee producer in the world and that coffee is the country's second-largest export commodity after petroleum. He familiarised the gathering with speciality coffee cultivation through a presentation showcasing successful coffee plantations in Nagaland. Using photographs, he highlighted plantation practices and the progress achieved in the neighbouring State. He said the proposed area under cultivation and the projected yield would be challenging to achieve with a single variety. He therefore suggested including additional coffee varieties along with the premium Geisha Arabica cultivar to ensure sustainability and adaptability. He assured the Board's support in providing certified planting materials, technical guidance and training for farmers and requested that planting material requirements be communicated in advance.
Addressing the gathering, Minister for Forest and Environment, Mr Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, highlighted the significance of the initiative and the opportunities it could create for the people of North Sikkim. He said the State Government is working to strengthen the production of large cardamom while also exploring new opportunities for farmers. He described coffee cultivation as a valuable addition to the region's agricultural sector. He urged all stakeholders to undertake proper scientific assessments and work collectively towards the successful implementation of the project. He expressed confidence that the initiative would contribute to the economic welfare of the people and the overall development of the district.
The programme also featured an interactive session where progressive farmers shared their views and concerns. Discussions focused on cultivation practices, labour availability, planting materials and the phased implementation of the project. Farmers noted that coffee cultivation is new to the region and expressed some reservations due to their limited experience with the crop. They suggested that coffee cultivation be taken up on a trial basis before large-scale expansion and emphasised the need for careful selection of beneficiaries.
Officials informed that the project is currently in its preliminary stage. Site surveys and technical assessments will be conducted before further implementation. Once operational, the initiative is expected to create new market opportunities for farmers, strengthen agricultural livelihoods, encourage value addition of local produce and contribute to the socio-economic development of North Sikkim.
The programme had the esteemed presence of Upadakshya Mangan, Ms Sonam Kipa Bhutia, Chairperson Horticulture Ms Ongkit Lepcha, senior officers of the Horticulture Department (Head Office), Officers of KVK Mangan and senior officers of the Horticulture Department Mangan.
