PM to attend national meet on sustainable agriculture

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the National Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to be held in Sikkim on January 18, an official statement said on Friday.

Modi, scheduled to undertake a two-day visit to Sikkim from January 18, will also attend a special event on organic farming in northeast and the Sikkim Organic Festival.

The announcements were made by Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jitendra Singh and union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh when they addressed media on the National Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

"Government is focusing on organic farming in northeast and the three-day organic festival will give a boost to this endeavour. By year 2025, India will be able to provide food for 150 crore of its population," said Singh.

"Promotion of organic products, with Sikkim as the nodal state, will not only help in generating revenue and employment opportunities but will also be a great booster for the government's 'Act East policy'," he added.

Referring to some of the other major projects in Sikkim, Singh said: "Greenfield airport at Pakyong is expected to be complete and become functional by 2017 and will emerge as one of the most beautiful destinations in the region."

"There is also a plan to connect Sikkim with the country's rail network and after the present government took over under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, this will be the third northeastern state after Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh to be brought on the rail map of India," said Singh.