Press Release
Press Release from Cooperation Department
Information & Public Relations Department
Gangtok, March 21: A meeting was conducted between Cooperation Department, Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Ltd (BBSSL), National Cooperative Organics Ltd (NCOL) and stakeholders at the Conference Hall of Sahakari Bhawan Tadong, Gangtok, today. The meeting was chaired by Ms Gloria Namchu, Secretary, Cooperation Department.
The meeting was attended by Ms Jabi Thapa, Principal Registrar, Cooperation Department, Principal Director Agriculture, Registrar Cooperation, MD BBSSL, Deputy Manager, NCOL, CEO SOFDA, MD, Sikkim Milk Union Ltd., MD SIMFED, General Manager, SIMFED and SISCO, MD, North District Milk Union, Executive Director, Sikkim Cooperative Society Ltd. AD NCDC, CDE SICON, Additional Registrar, Joint Registrar and Deputy Register and Officers and staffs from District and Head Office, Presidents, Board of Directors and Managers from various Cooperative Societies and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
The main objective of the meeting was to create awareness about these national level apex organisations and the benefits that would accrue to the cooperative societies if they took membership in them. The. Ministry of Cooperation has been encouraging the societies to take membership in them.
The meeting began with a welcome address by the Joint Registrar, followed by a detailed PowerPoint presentation by the Managing Directors of BBSSL and Deputy Manager, NCOL. BBSSL highlighting its role in enhancing seed production and accessibility through cooperative networks, while NCOL outlined its initiatives in supporting organic farmers with procurement, certification, marketing, and market expansion opportunities.
Dr S Anbagalam, IFS, CEO, SOFDA, highlighted the relevance of the role of BBSSL and NCOL in agricultural activities which would be of interest for the FPOs.
An interactive session followed in which Cooperation department officers and cooperative societies raised key concerns, particularly pending membership certificates, access to quality seeds and streamlining the certification and marketing process. The BBSSL and NCOL officers acknowledged these challenges and assured proactive steps to address them, reinforcing their commitment to strengthening cooperative initiatives in agriculture.
Ms Gloria Namchu, Secretary, Cooperation Department, then addressed the gathering, emphasizing the government’s commitment to empowering cooperative societies and ensuring they have the resources and support needed to thrive.
At the end of the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between SOFDA, Agriculture Department and NCOL, in presence of Secretary, Cooperation Government of Sikkim, and Director, National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) marking an important step towards promotion of organic agricultural produce of the state through through the cooperative model.
The meeting concluded with vote of thanks by Shri. Pemba Lepcha, Additional Registrar, Cooperation Department.
The meeting was attended by Ms Jabi Thapa, Principal Registrar, Cooperation Department, Principal Director Agriculture, Registrar Cooperation, MD BBSSL, Deputy Manager, NCOL, CEO SOFDA, MD, Sikkim Milk Union Ltd., MD SIMFED, General Manager, SIMFED and SISCO, MD, North District Milk Union, Executive Director, Sikkim Cooperative Society Ltd. AD NCDC, CDE SICON, Additional Registrar, Joint Registrar and Deputy Register and Officers and staffs from District and Head Office, Presidents, Board of Directors and Managers from various Cooperative Societies and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
The main objective of the meeting was to create awareness about these national level apex organisations and the benefits that would accrue to the cooperative societies if they took membership in them. The. Ministry of Cooperation has been encouraging the societies to take membership in them.
The meeting began with a welcome address by the Joint Registrar, followed by a detailed PowerPoint presentation by the Managing Directors of BBSSL and Deputy Manager, NCOL. BBSSL highlighting its role in enhancing seed production and accessibility through cooperative networks, while NCOL outlined its initiatives in supporting organic farmers with procurement, certification, marketing, and market expansion opportunities.
Dr S Anbagalam, IFS, CEO, SOFDA, highlighted the relevance of the role of BBSSL and NCOL in agricultural activities which would be of interest for the FPOs.
An interactive session followed in which Cooperation department officers and cooperative societies raised key concerns, particularly pending membership certificates, access to quality seeds and streamlining the certification and marketing process. The BBSSL and NCOL officers acknowledged these challenges and assured proactive steps to address them, reinforcing their commitment to strengthening cooperative initiatives in agriculture.
Ms Gloria Namchu, Secretary, Cooperation Department, then addressed the gathering, emphasizing the government’s commitment to empowering cooperative societies and ensuring they have the resources and support needed to thrive.
At the end of the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between SOFDA, Agriculture Department and NCOL, in presence of Secretary, Cooperation Government of Sikkim, and Director, National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) marking an important step towards promotion of organic agricultural produce of the state through through the cooperative model.
The meeting concluded with vote of thanks by Shri. Pemba Lepcha, Additional Registrar, Cooperation Department.