News & Announcement
SAMETI Observes PM-KISAN Utsav Diwas Alongside Inauguration of ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’
Gangtok, October 30, (IPR): The State Agriculture Management & Extension Training Institute (SAMETI), Agriculture Department, in coordination with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), East conducted a programme for the PM-KISAN Utsav Diwas and inauguration of the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ at the Conference Hall at SAMETI, Lingding, this morning.
PM Kisan Utsav Diwas marks the release of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana instalments while honouring India's agricultural community. In a live telecast, Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, released the 24th nationwide instalment of PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana from Banaskantha, Gujarat.
Under the scheme, a total of Rs 4.47 lakh crore has been transferred nationwide to eligible farmers across 23 instalments so far. In today's programme, the 24th instalment worth over Rs 18,690 crore will be disbursed to 9.34 crore beneficiary farmers.
In addition, the afternoon session included the inauguration of the “Khet Bachao Abhiyan" (Save the Farm Campaign), a nationwide Ministry of Agriculture initiative, aimed at protecting soil health, promoting natural farming, and curbing the over-use of chemical fertilisers.
Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and Fisheries Departments, Mr Puran Kumar Gurung graced the event as the Chief Guest.
In his address, the Chief Guest highlighted Sikkim’s exemplary role as an organic state despite its small population. He outlined government financial support, subsidies, seeds, and equipment available to aid farmers, stressing that officials must manage these resources transparently to reach local cultivators directly.
Mr Gurung expressed concern over produce pricing and youth migration away from traditional farming, urging younger generations to adopt agriculture and integrate modern practices. He also called on departmental staff to coordinate closely with district and panchayat levels to address ground-level grievances efficiently. Concluding his speech, the Minister urged all stakeholders to leverage state and central schemes, modernise farming techniques, and collaborate to preserve Sikkim’s agricultural heritage while building a sustainable economic future.
Additional Chief Secretary for Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, Mr Pradeep Kumar spoke about agricultural surveys and initiatives in Sikkim. Mr Kumar addressed local concerns regarding agricultural profitability, acknowledging that some residents feel farming is no longer financially viable. He drew comparisons with agricultural practices in other regions, such as Israel, emphasising that even in regions facing water scarcity, advanced techniques enable successful farming. He encouraged agricultural officials to shift traditional mindsets and focus on increasing farmers' incomes as the primary measure of agricultural success.
Secretary for Agriculture Department, Mr Rajandra P Thapa highlighted the ongoing distribution of the 23rd instalment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme in Sikkim. He emphasised that this direct financial support scheme brings pride to farmers, as the funds are provided directly through the Prime Minister's office. Mr Thapa noted that over 36,323 farmers in Sikkim benefit from this programme, which serves as a valuable resource for purchasing seeds, fertilisers, and supporting their families' educational needs. He encouraged officials and farmers to utilise government resources transparently and collaborate to overcome agricultural challenges, ensuring long-term prosperity and food security across the state.
Secretary for Horticulture Department, Mr T T Bhutia stated that Sikkim's agricultural and horticultural sectors have unique potential, particularly as an organic state, setting an example for sustainable farming nationwide. He noted that it was possible for Sikkim to become an organic state as there was no such practice of using chemical pesticides and fertilisers. He urged all stakeholders to fully embrace organic and natural farming techniques, modernise traditional practices where appropriate, and work collaboratively to enhance productivity and secure long-term economic stability for farming communities across Sikkim.
It may be noted that during the national-level Mahila Kisan Diwas, held in New Delhi on 15 October, special recognition was conferred upon female progressive farmers and extension workers for their exemplary role in the field of agriculture. Progressive woman farmer and FPO President, Ms Sarita Mangar and Director for SAMETI, Additional Director for the Agriculture Department, and State Nodal Officer for PM KISAN and ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’, Ms Rachna Gurung received special recognition at a national level.
Earlier, Director for SAMETI, Ms Rachna Gurung, delivered the Welcome Address where she highlighted the progress of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme in Sikkim. She noted that approximately 36,323 beneficiaries in the state have received financial instalments directly through the programme, totalling over 97.92 crore rupees. She also detailed the rollout of the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’, explaining its objectives to promote sustainable farming, improve soil health, and reduce chemical fertiliser and pesticide usage. She noted that the Ministry issued directives to conduct the programme simultaneously across all states, districts, and block levels.
Furthermore, Ms Gurung emphasised the importance of grassroots awareness campaigns, farmer registration processes, and inter-departmental collaboration to ensure that agricultural welfare schemes reach local cultivators effectively.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Deputy Director for Agriculture Department, Mr Bharat Sharma and the MC for the programme was VLW for SAMETI, Mr Diwaker Lamichaney.
The programme was also attended by senior members of the line departments and farmers from Gangtok District.
Report from DIO-GANGTOK
PM Kisan Utsav Diwas marks the release of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana instalments while honouring India's agricultural community. In a live telecast, Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, released the 24th nationwide instalment of PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana from Banaskantha, Gujarat.
Under the scheme, a total of Rs 4.47 lakh crore has been transferred nationwide to eligible farmers across 23 instalments so far. In today's programme, the 24th instalment worth over Rs 18,690 crore will be disbursed to 9.34 crore beneficiary farmers.
In addition, the afternoon session included the inauguration of the “Khet Bachao Abhiyan" (Save the Farm Campaign), a nationwide Ministry of Agriculture initiative, aimed at protecting soil health, promoting natural farming, and curbing the over-use of chemical fertilisers.
Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and Fisheries Departments, Mr Puran Kumar Gurung graced the event as the Chief Guest.
In his address, the Chief Guest highlighted Sikkim’s exemplary role as an organic state despite its small population. He outlined government financial support, subsidies, seeds, and equipment available to aid farmers, stressing that officials must manage these resources transparently to reach local cultivators directly.
Mr Gurung expressed concern over produce pricing and youth migration away from traditional farming, urging younger generations to adopt agriculture and integrate modern practices. He also called on departmental staff to coordinate closely with district and panchayat levels to address ground-level grievances efficiently. Concluding his speech, the Minister urged all stakeholders to leverage state and central schemes, modernise farming techniques, and collaborate to preserve Sikkim’s agricultural heritage while building a sustainable economic future.
Additional Chief Secretary for Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, Mr Pradeep Kumar spoke about agricultural surveys and initiatives in Sikkim. Mr Kumar addressed local concerns regarding agricultural profitability, acknowledging that some residents feel farming is no longer financially viable. He drew comparisons with agricultural practices in other regions, such as Israel, emphasising that even in regions facing water scarcity, advanced techniques enable successful farming. He encouraged agricultural officials to shift traditional mindsets and focus on increasing farmers' incomes as the primary measure of agricultural success.
Secretary for Agriculture Department, Mr Rajandra P Thapa highlighted the ongoing distribution of the 23rd instalment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme in Sikkim. He emphasised that this direct financial support scheme brings pride to farmers, as the funds are provided directly through the Prime Minister's office. Mr Thapa noted that over 36,323 farmers in Sikkim benefit from this programme, which serves as a valuable resource for purchasing seeds, fertilisers, and supporting their families' educational needs. He encouraged officials and farmers to utilise government resources transparently and collaborate to overcome agricultural challenges, ensuring long-term prosperity and food security across the state.
Secretary for Horticulture Department, Mr T T Bhutia stated that Sikkim's agricultural and horticultural sectors have unique potential, particularly as an organic state, setting an example for sustainable farming nationwide. He noted that it was possible for Sikkim to become an organic state as there was no such practice of using chemical pesticides and fertilisers. He urged all stakeholders to fully embrace organic and natural farming techniques, modernise traditional practices where appropriate, and work collaboratively to enhance productivity and secure long-term economic stability for farming communities across Sikkim.
It may be noted that during the national-level Mahila Kisan Diwas, held in New Delhi on 15 October, special recognition was conferred upon female progressive farmers and extension workers for their exemplary role in the field of agriculture. Progressive woman farmer and FPO President, Ms Sarita Mangar and Director for SAMETI, Additional Director for the Agriculture Department, and State Nodal Officer for PM KISAN and ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’, Ms Rachna Gurung received special recognition at a national level.
Earlier, Director for SAMETI, Ms Rachna Gurung, delivered the Welcome Address where she highlighted the progress of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme in Sikkim. She noted that approximately 36,323 beneficiaries in the state have received financial instalments directly through the programme, totalling over 97.92 crore rupees. She also detailed the rollout of the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’, explaining its objectives to promote sustainable farming, improve soil health, and reduce chemical fertiliser and pesticide usage. She noted that the Ministry issued directives to conduct the programme simultaneously across all states, districts, and block levels.
Furthermore, Ms Gurung emphasised the importance of grassroots awareness campaigns, farmer registration processes, and inter-departmental collaboration to ensure that agricultural welfare schemes reach local cultivators effectively.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Deputy Director for Agriculture Department, Mr Bharat Sharma and the MC for the programme was VLW for SAMETI, Mr Diwaker Lamichaney.
The programme was also attended by senior members of the line departments and farmers from Gangtok District.
Report from DIO-GANGTOK
