Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan today virtually inaugurated the administrative and academic buildings of the College of Horticulture at Bermiok, Sikkim, under the Central Agricultural University, Imphal, along with the Annual Regional Workshop. Governor of Sikkim Shri Om Prakash Mathur, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Agriculture Minister of Sikkim Shri Puran Kumar Gurung, Vice Chancellor Dr. Anupam Mishra, and other dignitaries were present at the event.

On this occasion, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that although he was not physically present in Sikkim today, his spirit was with everyone at the newly constructed buildings of the horticulture college at Bermiok. He added that Shri Bhagirath Choudhary was present there in person as the representative of the Government of India.

Shri Chouhan said that the new buildings had been constructed at a cost of ₹52 crore and would provide better educational facilities to the youth of Sikkim. Describing Sikkim as a wonderful state, rich in natural beauty with a unique climate, he said the land of Sikkim holds immense potential for avocados, kiwis, large cardamom, orchids, and vegetables such as ginger, turmeric, tomatoes, and cabbages.

The Union Agriculture Minister said that by promoting non-traditional farming such as beekeeping, mushroom cultivation, bamboo, and medicinal plants, Sikkim’s horticultural activities have gained much diversity. He emphasised that Sikkim is an organic state where farmers keep away from chemical fertilisers and deliver pure produce not only to Sikkim but to the entire country. “For this, I bow to the farmers of Sikkim,” he said.

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan further noted that Indian agriculture is progressing rapidly under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, and that the Prime Minister has given topmost priority to the hill states. He assured that the Government of India would leave no stone unturned to promote agriculture in Sikkim. Highlighting the state’s unique climatic advantages, he said efforts would be made to maximise their benefits, and underlined that organic farming in the country is on the rise and is the need of the hour.

The Union Minister explained the six-point formula of Prime Minister Modi for promoting agriculture: increasing production, reducing the cost of cultivation, ensuring fair prices for produce, compensating for losses, and diversifying agriculture. He said that floriculture, bamboo cultivation, and horticulture hold great potential for increasing farmers’ income. He also raised concerns about how to shift towards organic and natural farming, warning that excessive use of chemical fertilisers has invited many diseases. “This earth is not only ours but also for our future generations. If such indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers continues, the coming days will not be favourable for future generations,” Shri Chouhan cautioned.

Addressing students of agriculture, Shri Shivraj Singh urged them to remain connected with agricultural activities after completing their education – either by taking up farming themselves, launching agri-based startups, or bringing in new innovations and technologies to advance agriculture. He said that agriculture holds immense opportunities, and even today, it remains the backbone of the Indian economy with farmers as its soul. “Nearly 46% of the country’s population is employed in agriculture,” the Union Minister pointed out.

ICAR Director General Dr. Mangi Lal Jat also joined the event virtually from Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi.

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