Port Blair, July 13: The Chief Secretary, Mr Anindo Majumdar, inaugurated the office building of Organic Horticulture Farm, Sippighat on Wednesday in the presence of Smti R. Menaka, Secretary (Agriculture) and other officers of the Department. The Chief Secretary also visited the farm and inspected the Medicinal Plant Unit, Main Demonstration plot of Horticulture crops and Orchidarium. He undertook the Herbal Walk and planted a clove sapling in the premises. He visited the newly established Rose Garden and inspected the Seed Testing Laboratory. Visited the Central Nursery of Organic Horticulture Farm, Sippighat where different sapling of spices, fruits and ornamentals are raised, he appreciated the efforts of the farm in making available quality planting materials to the farmers.
Interacting with the officials of the Department, the Chief Secretary stated that since agriculture plays important role in lives of people, it is the responsibility of the Agriculture Department to work for enhancement of the socio-economic conditions of the farming community. He directed the department to make use of the schemes implemented by the Govt. of India and to focus on training and extension alongwith the procurement and distribution of the agriculture inputs. He emphasized that capacity building of the officers of the department is also important. He advised the department to propagate organic agriculture alongwith sustainability and also to work in association with CIARI for the development of Agriculture in these islands.
