The programme was graced by Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Tamang as the Chief Guest.
He was accompanied by Minister, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Department, Shri Lok Nath Sharma as the Guest of Honor.

The welcome address was delivered by AGM, NABARD, Smt. Divya Rai followed by the inaugural address by General Manager & Officer-in-Charge, NABARD, Dr Diwakar Hegde.

A short video was also presented which highlighted NABARD’s Developmental Journey in Sikkim.

During the programme the “State Focus Paper 2022-2023” was released by Chief Minister, Shri Prem Singh Tamang followed by handing over the Sanction letters.

AGM, NABARD Smt. Bhama Deuri presented the State Focus Paper in brief where she highlighted the potentials and achievements, credit potentials projections for 2022-2023 and other important aspects related to NABARD.

Chief Minister, Shri Prem Singh Tamang in his address stated, “I would like to thank the team NABARD for the concern they have shown even during the crisis caused by the global pandemic”.

The Chief Minister also advised the bankers, Government Departments, especially Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries and also the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) to uphold full support for the best possible projects from NABARD for the benefit of the people of Sikkim. He also lauded the NABARD’s long term project ‘Tribal Development Fund’ based project which is implemented in six locations covering all six districts which will benefit 2,188 tribal households.

These projects are being implemented by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs) and local NGOs.

Further, two more projects were included today. Sikkim has always been a trendsetter and one such sphere is ‘Dhara Vikas Yojana’. Dhara Vikas is an innovative programme to revive and maintain drying springs in the state of Sikkim. Besides, it has a significant impact on crop patterns and yields. The programme has also worked on developing a village spring atlas and a water source atlas for the state. This project is also funded and supported by NABARD, stated the Chief Minister.
NABARD has also brought funds like the National Adaptation Fund for climate change to Sikkim, he added.
The Chief Minister assured to help to achieve all potentials with the support of bank credit.

Minister, Agriculture, Horticulture, AH&VS, Shri Lok Nath Sharma, in his address, acknowledged the contribution made by NABARD in different sectors of rural development and expressed gratitude for considering agriculture as one of the priority sectors in the state. He also congratulated NABARD for the release of State Focus Paper 2022-23 and expressed gratitude for allocating thirty-eight percent of the total fund for Agriculture development.

Emphasizing the dependence of the rural economy on agriculture, he urged for a proactive role in the development of agricultural infrastructure and the flow of credit in the farming sector.

Minister Shri Sharma threw light on farming centric schemes including Mukhyamantri Krishi Atmanirbhar Yojana, Mukhyamantri Pashudhan Samridhi Yojana and Mukhyamantri Matshya Utpadan Yojana under the leadership and guidance of the Chief Minister and highlighted their benefits.

State Credit Seminar in Gangtok today (1)

State Credit Seminar in Gangtok today (5)

State Credit Seminar in Gangtok today (4)

State Credit Seminar in Gangtok today (3)

He also acknowledged the contribution of the banking fraternity in providing subsidized loans to more than twelve hundred emerging entrepreneurs in recent years, under the theme of “Development Through Credit” conceptualized by the state government.

Minister Shri Sharma also advised NABARD to work for rejuvenating the water resources in rural areas which would further encourage the farming community towards Agriculture. He also acknowledged the role of NABARD for establishing warehouses, storage units, and cold storage chains in rural areas.

He also informed the house about the objectives and purpose of promoting Aquaponics, Hydroponics, and Rooftop farming by the state government and motivated banking sectors towards providing credit to the interested entrepreneurs.

On the occasion, NABARD presented awards to the progressive farmers from different districts:

1. Shri Phipraj Subba, Namcheybong, East Sikkim

2. Shri Ongdup Lepcha, Pareng Gaon, West Sikkim

3. Smt. Passang Bhutia, Upper Tokal ward, South Sikkim

4. Shri. Pemchung Lepcha, Taryeng, Lower Dzongu, North Sikkim.

NABARD also offered mementoes to the Chief Minister, dignitaries and other officials present in the function.

The event was also addressed by the Special Guest – Deputy General Manager, SLBC, State Bank of India, Shri Niraj Prasad, General Manager & Officer-in-Charge (RBI), Shri Kishore Pariyar, Additional Chief Secretary, Commerce & Industries, Government of Sikkim, Dr K. Jayakumar.

The programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Manager, NABARD, Shri Biyay Singh.