Press Release
Press Release from Agriculture Department, Pakyong District
Information & Public Relations Department
Pakyong District Launches Khet Bachao Abhiyan through Farmer-Centric Kisan Gosthi
Pakyong, October 27: The Agriculture Department, Pakyong District, in collaboration with the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) and the Horticulture Department, organised a Kisan Gosthi at Pakyong Nagar Panchayat Hall as part of the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan. The campaign is being observed from 22 October to 30 November 2026 under the directives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
Moving beyond a conventional awareness programme, Pakyong District adopted an interactive and participatory approach by bringing farmers, technical experts and departmental functionaries together on a common platform for knowledge-sharing, showcasing farmers’ initiatives and addressing field-level challenges. The initiative reflects the district’s commitment to making the campaign meaningful, locally relevant and action-oriented, with a focus on agricultural land conservation, soil health and sustainable farming practices.
The programme was graced by Smt. Nim Chiki Sherpa, Chairperson, Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Sikkim, as the Chief Guest. Hon’ble Panchayat representatives attended as Guests of Honour. The programme was also attended by the Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Deputy Director-cum-Deputy Project Director, ATMA, officers from the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, Agriculture Inspectors, the Block Technology Manager (BTM), farmers and field functionaries from Pachey Samsing and Pakyong Yakten GPUs.
The programme commenced with the registration of participants and the traditional offering of khadas, followed by a visit to farmers’ stalls displaying agricultural produce, farming initiatives and other achievements. The stalls provided an opportunity to recognise the efforts of local farmers and highlight the potential of local agricultural products and agri-enterprises.
In his welcome address, Shri Yogesh Gautam, Block Technology Manager (BTM), Pakyong, welcomed the dignitaries and participants and outlined the objectives of the Khet Bachao Abhiyan. He emphasised the importance of collective efforts to conserve agricultural land and promote sustainable farming practices.
During the technical session, Ms. Rebecca Gurung, Deputy Director, Agriculture Department, elaborated on the objectives of the campaign, various schemes of the Agriculture Department and the importance of soil fertility management and conservation of productive agricultural land. She also highlighted the potential of agrotourism as a means of making farming more attractive and economically viable. Citing successful agrotourism models from different parts of the world, she encouraged farmers to explore opportunities for income diversification, promotion of local culture and development of agriculture-based tourism enterprises.
Ms. Srijana Gurung, Horticulture Development Officer, Horticulture Department, briefed the participants on various horticulture schemes and the importance of soil health management. Shri Gagan Gurung, Agriculture Development Officer, Agriculture Department, explained the principles and benefits of Integrated Nutrient Management and highlighted the role of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme in facilitating timely agricultural credit for farmers.
The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Pakyong, was represented by Dr. Prakash Sharma, Head, KVK Pakyong, who briefed the participants on the Centre’s activities, scientific technologies and extension services aimed at improving agricultural productivity and supporting the farming community.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Smt. Nim Chiki Sherpa, Chairperson, Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Sikkim, appreciated the initiative and encouraged farmers to avail themselves of the various government schemes, technical assistance and institutional support provided by the Agriculture and allied departments. The Guests of Honour also emphasised the importance of scientific farming practices, agricultural land conservation and sustainable livelihoods for farming households.
A key feature of the programme was the interactive Kisan Gosthi, which enabled farmers to share their experiences, raise queries and receive expert guidance directly from departmental officers and technical specialists. The combination of technical sessions, farmers’ stalls, scheme awareness and direct interaction made the programme a practical and participatory platform for agricultural extension.
The programme was coordinated and concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Binita Chettri, Agriculture Officer, Agriculture Department, who acknowledged the contributions of the dignitaries, participating departments, farmers and field functionaries.
Through this initiative, Pakyong District has given the Khet Bachao Abhiyan a distinctive, farmer-centric approach by placing direct engagement and practical knowledge-sharing at the centre of the campaign. The programme underscores the district’s commitment to translating awareness into action and strengthening linkages among farmers, scientific institutions and government departments.
The campaign will continue across Pakyong District throughout November, with a focus on sustainable agriculture, soil health management, conservation of agricultural land, government schemes and farmer welfare initiatives. The district aims to encourage wider farmer participation and promote practices that protect agricultural resources while enhancing farm productivity, profitability and long-term livelihood security.
Pakyong, October 27: The Agriculture Department, Pakyong District, in collaboration with the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) and the Horticulture Department, organised a Kisan Gosthi at Pakyong Nagar Panchayat Hall as part of the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan. The campaign is being observed from 22 October to 30 November 2026 under the directives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
Moving beyond a conventional awareness programme, Pakyong District adopted an interactive and participatory approach by bringing farmers, technical experts and departmental functionaries together on a common platform for knowledge-sharing, showcasing farmers’ initiatives and addressing field-level challenges. The initiative reflects the district’s commitment to making the campaign meaningful, locally relevant and action-oriented, with a focus on agricultural land conservation, soil health and sustainable farming practices.
The programme was graced by Smt. Nim Chiki Sherpa, Chairperson, Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Sikkim, as the Chief Guest. Hon’ble Panchayat representatives attended as Guests of Honour. The programme was also attended by the Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Deputy Director-cum-Deputy Project Director, ATMA, officers from the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, Agriculture Inspectors, the Block Technology Manager (BTM), farmers and field functionaries from Pachey Samsing and Pakyong Yakten GPUs.
The programme commenced with the registration of participants and the traditional offering of khadas, followed by a visit to farmers’ stalls displaying agricultural produce, farming initiatives and other achievements. The stalls provided an opportunity to recognise the efforts of local farmers and highlight the potential of local agricultural products and agri-enterprises.
In his welcome address, Shri Yogesh Gautam, Block Technology Manager (BTM), Pakyong, welcomed the dignitaries and participants and outlined the objectives of the Khet Bachao Abhiyan. He emphasised the importance of collective efforts to conserve agricultural land and promote sustainable farming practices.
During the technical session, Ms. Rebecca Gurung, Deputy Director, Agriculture Department, elaborated on the objectives of the campaign, various schemes of the Agriculture Department and the importance of soil fertility management and conservation of productive agricultural land. She also highlighted the potential of agrotourism as a means of making farming more attractive and economically viable. Citing successful agrotourism models from different parts of the world, she encouraged farmers to explore opportunities for income diversification, promotion of local culture and development of agriculture-based tourism enterprises.
Ms. Srijana Gurung, Horticulture Development Officer, Horticulture Department, briefed the participants on various horticulture schemes and the importance of soil health management. Shri Gagan Gurung, Agriculture Development Officer, Agriculture Department, explained the principles and benefits of Integrated Nutrient Management and highlighted the role of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme in facilitating timely agricultural credit for farmers.
The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Pakyong, was represented by Dr. Prakash Sharma, Head, KVK Pakyong, who briefed the participants on the Centre’s activities, scientific technologies and extension services aimed at improving agricultural productivity and supporting the farming community.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Smt. Nim Chiki Sherpa, Chairperson, Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Sikkim, appreciated the initiative and encouraged farmers to avail themselves of the various government schemes, technical assistance and institutional support provided by the Agriculture and allied departments. The Guests of Honour also emphasised the importance of scientific farming practices, agricultural land conservation and sustainable livelihoods for farming households.
A key feature of the programme was the interactive Kisan Gosthi, which enabled farmers to share their experiences, raise queries and receive expert guidance directly from departmental officers and technical specialists. The combination of technical sessions, farmers’ stalls, scheme awareness and direct interaction made the programme a practical and participatory platform for agricultural extension.
The programme was coordinated and concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Binita Chettri, Agriculture Officer, Agriculture Department, who acknowledged the contributions of the dignitaries, participating departments, farmers and field functionaries.
Through this initiative, Pakyong District has given the Khet Bachao Abhiyan a distinctive, farmer-centric approach by placing direct engagement and practical knowledge-sharing at the centre of the campaign. The programme underscores the district’s commitment to translating awareness into action and strengthening linkages among farmers, scientific institutions and government departments.
The campaign will continue across Pakyong District throughout November, with a focus on sustainable agriculture, soil health management, conservation of agricultural land, government schemes and farmer welfare initiatives. The district aims to encourage wider farmer participation and promote practices that protect agricultural resources while enhancing farm productivity, profitability and long-term livelihood security.
