Gangtok, Mar 12: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday chaired the first review meeting of the Mero Alaichi Mero Dhan programme at Samman Bhawan, aimed at strengthening support for farmers and promoting sustainable large cardamom cultivation.

The meeting highlighted ongoing work by the Department of Science and Technology, including research on large cardamom, with the Chief Minister urging officials to continue innovative and collaborative efforts to develop the sector.

During the event, a Mahindra Camper vehicle was handed over to the DST team to enhance field outreach, monitoring, and extension activities. A Package of Practices for controlling Blight Disease in large cardamom using Bordeaux mixture was also released.

Tokens were distributed for setting up Krishak Alaichi Prayogshala (Farmers’ Field Labs), and financial assistance of ₹50,000 each was provided to ten progressive farmers under the Participatory Plant Breeding Programme.

The programme included farmer experience sharing, discussions on field-level challenges, and policy recommendations by Dr. Sandeep Tambe.

The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of integrating scientific research and farmers’ insights to ensure the growth of Sikkim’s cardamom sector and overall agricultural development.