SIMFED represents state at the India International Food & Agri Expo – 2011

SIMFED REPRESENTS SIKKIM AT THE INDIA INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND AGRICULTURE EXPO-2011

(File Pic) : SIMFED represents state at the India International Food & Agri Expo - 2011

31 Jan,Gangtok/IPR: Sikkim was represented by Simfed in the last concluded Agri Expo.11, India International Food and Agriculture Expo-2011, held at the Gokulam Convention Centre, Kaloor, Cochi, Kerala from the 26th to 28th of November of 2011. This is one of the major National Organic Fair organised by the Foundation for Organic Agriculture and Rural Development, Coffee Board, Coconut Board, NABARD, Government of India, Government of Kerala in Kerala.

The Expo was inaugurated by Mr. K.C.Sashidhar, Chief General Manager, NABARD after a Welcome Speech by Mr. P.C. Cyriac,IAS(Retd), Chairman, Foundation for Organic Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Fair consisted of participants from all over the nation and several from South East Asia. The participants comprised of Manufacturers, Dealers, Cooperative Societies, etc. The Exhibits mainly ranged from Organic vegetables, all types of organically grown spices, fruits, coconuts, and their processed products.

Besides Exhibition cum Retail activities, the Expo also comprised of seminars by invitee Experts in various fields of organic Farming, followed by open forum discussion amongst Growers, Dealers, Manufacturers etc and the Experts during all three days. The Seminar also highlighted the current status of Organic Farming in India and Globally. On this occasion Mr. P. K. Sunwar, Dy. General Manager(Marketing), Simfed delivered a brief and well versed deliberation on the current status of Organic Farming in Sikkim during which he clarified and answered questions and certain points put forward by the participants who all came from various parts of country.

The Simfed delegation comprised of ten farmers from all over Sikkim and SIMFED ICS Area of Rateypani and West Pendam. The team was headed by Mr. P. K. Sunwar, Dy. G. M. (Mktg), Simfed. The Program was sponsored by the National Horticulture Board, Sikkim State Unit and was organized with the help & support of the local Senior Officer of NHB Mr. A.K. Singh, Centre in Charge. The NHB also sponsored the last Bio-Fach Exhibitions and two awareness program on Ginger and Cardamom.

The Simfed Stall consisted of all Organic products of Sikkim, right from Large Cardamom, oranges, cherry Pepper (Dalle), Ginger, Pulses, various local medicinal herbs etc. Sikkim Stall with its rich hue of organic products at display for sale and as exhibits, adorned with rich traditional artifacts impressed all the visiting delegations to the Expo. Owing to its rich hue of organic products display for sale and as exhibits, adorned with rich traditional artifacts impressed all the visiting delegations to the Expo. Owing to which it was elaborately flashed in all the local Newspapers and SIMFED has got special appreciation certificate.

The overall participation of the Sikkim delegation to this Expo was a grand success. Farmers from Sikkim were able to visit the local organic farms for exposure to some of the advanced technologies being introduced in organic farming. In particular, this Expo participation helped Simfed garner a lot of interest for several organic products of Sikkim from amongst some major National and International growers, manufacturers, purchasers, dealers etc. SIMFED has got trail order of 15MT Organic Ginger from one of International Exporter after which they confirmed regular order of 100MT Ginger per month. SIMFED also got order of Large Cardamom which to be supplied every month to them in Kerala. SIMFED is working continuously to promote the Organic Products of Sikkim in National and International Market and fulfill the dreams of the Sikkim Organic Mission and Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim with the help and support of the Agriculture & Horticulture Department officials.