Press Release
Press Release from Fisheries Department
Information & Public Relations Department
Stakeholders Consultation Meeting on Sustainable Development of Organic Fisheries Cluster Held in Gangtok
Gangtok, June 13, 2025:
The Fisheries Department, Government of Sikkim, organized a Consultative Stakeholders Meeting on the theme “Sustainable Development of Organic Fisheries Cluster in Soreng District” today in the Golden Jubilee Hall, Fisheries Department, near Palzor Stadium, Gangtok.
The meeting witnessed the active participation of key officials and experts including Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department; Shri K. K. Shrestha, Director; Shri Lobsang Tamang, Joint Director; and other senior officers of the department. Distinguished guests present included Dr. S. Anbalagan, CEO, Organic Farming Development Agency (SOFDA), Sikkim; Shri Mewang Lowang, AGM, NABARD; Shri Subashis Sarkar, AM, NABARD; Dr. Prakash Sharma, Senior Scientist, KVK Ranipool; and representative from ICAR, Tadong.
The programme began with a welcome address by Shri Surendra Bhandari, Assistant Director, who highlighted the objectives of the meeting and welcomed all dignitaries.
A detailed presentation was made by Shri Nitesh Gurung, Deputy Director-cum-Nodal Officer for Organic Fisheries, outlining the current status, proposed development plan, and future course of action for organic fisheries in Sikkim.
District Fisheries Officers from Soreng District briefed the gathering on ongoing field activities, informing that the construction of new fish ponds in convergence with MGNREGA is set to commence very soon. The first organic fish hatchery construction at Lungyam with the support under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is also progressing on a war-footing.
Representatives from NABARD expressed their readiness to support the initiative through exposure visits, skill development training, and facilitation in the formation of Cooperative Societies/Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs).
In his address, Dr. S. Anbalagan, CEO of SOFDA, lauded the Fisheries Department’s initiative of adopting a cluster-based approach for organic fisheries, calling it a potential model for replication across the state. He emphasized the need for early initiation of the certification process and recommended a group certification approach through cooperatives or FFPOs to ensure affordability. He also shared valuable insights into processing, marketing, and branding of organic fish and its products. Dr. Anbalagan further encouraged the Fisheries Department and ICAR, Tadong to collaboratively develop a Package of Practices for Organic Fisheries.
Dr. Prakash Sharma, Senior Scientist, KVK Ranipool, and the ICAR representative shared detailed scientific inputs on organic fish feed and its ingredients, contributing to the technical depth of the discussions.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department, directed district officials to initiate the formation of FFPO in the cluster in collaboration with local Panchayats and NABARD. She urged the field officers to start mobilizing farmers for organic fisheries activities, as their participation is key to the success of the initiative. She also emphasized the importance of ensuring Kisan Credit Card (KCC) saturation among existing fish farmers to enable timely procurement of necessary inputs.
The Secretary further announced that a State Level Technical Advisory Committee on Organic Fisheries will be constituted soon. This committee will comprise experts, departmental officials, and scientists who will provide technical guidance and policy recommendations.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shri Naresh Sunar, Assistant Director, Fisheries Department.
Gangtok, June 13, 2025:
The Fisheries Department, Government of Sikkim, organized a Consultative Stakeholders Meeting on the theme “Sustainable Development of Organic Fisheries Cluster in Soreng District” today in the Golden Jubilee Hall, Fisheries Department, near Palzor Stadium, Gangtok.
The meeting witnessed the active participation of key officials and experts including Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department; Shri K. K. Shrestha, Director; Shri Lobsang Tamang, Joint Director; and other senior officers of the department. Distinguished guests present included Dr. S. Anbalagan, CEO, Organic Farming Development Agency (SOFDA), Sikkim; Shri Mewang Lowang, AGM, NABARD; Shri Subashis Sarkar, AM, NABARD; Dr. Prakash Sharma, Senior Scientist, KVK Ranipool; and representative from ICAR, Tadong.
The programme began with a welcome address by Shri Surendra Bhandari, Assistant Director, who highlighted the objectives of the meeting and welcomed all dignitaries.
A detailed presentation was made by Shri Nitesh Gurung, Deputy Director-cum-Nodal Officer for Organic Fisheries, outlining the current status, proposed development plan, and future course of action for organic fisheries in Sikkim.
District Fisheries Officers from Soreng District briefed the gathering on ongoing field activities, informing that the construction of new fish ponds in convergence with MGNREGA is set to commence very soon. The first organic fish hatchery construction at Lungyam with the support under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is also progressing on a war-footing.
Representatives from NABARD expressed their readiness to support the initiative through exposure visits, skill development training, and facilitation in the formation of Cooperative Societies/Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs).
In his address, Dr. S. Anbalagan, CEO of SOFDA, lauded the Fisheries Department’s initiative of adopting a cluster-based approach for organic fisheries, calling it a potential model for replication across the state. He emphasized the need for early initiation of the certification process and recommended a group certification approach through cooperatives or FFPOs to ensure affordability. He also shared valuable insights into processing, marketing, and branding of organic fish and its products. Dr. Anbalagan further encouraged the Fisheries Department and ICAR, Tadong to collaboratively develop a Package of Practices for Organic Fisheries.
Dr. Prakash Sharma, Senior Scientist, KVK Ranipool, and the ICAR representative shared detailed scientific inputs on organic fish feed and its ingredients, contributing to the technical depth of the discussions.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department, directed district officials to initiate the formation of FFPO in the cluster in collaboration with local Panchayats and NABARD. She urged the field officers to start mobilizing farmers for organic fisheries activities, as their participation is key to the success of the initiative. She also emphasized the importance of ensuring Kisan Credit Card (KCC) saturation among existing fish farmers to enable timely procurement of necessary inputs.
The Secretary further announced that a State Level Technical Advisory Committee on Organic Fisheries will be constituted soon. This committee will comprise experts, departmental officials, and scientists who will provide technical guidance and policy recommendations.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shri Naresh Sunar, Assistant Director, Fisheries Department.