Gangtok, Feb 9: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on February 8 inaugurated a new farmer-centric organic market at Reshithang in the Upper Burtuk constituency, creating a direct marketplace for local cultivators to sell their produce without intermediaries. The initiative is aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods while promoting Sikkim’s long-standing commitment to organic farming.
The market, named Hamro Gauley Bazar, has been set up entirely through voluntary labour and contributions by local residents under the Shram Daan initiative, with no financial assistance from the government. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Upper Burtuk MLA Kala Rai along with villagers and community representatives who played a key role in bringing the project to life.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Tamang thanked the villagers for their collective effort and described the market as an example of community-driven development. He said the government envisions the bazar evolving into a vibrant centre of rural economic activity and stressed the need for proper verification to ensure that only genuine farmers and landowners are allotted stalls.
The market will function twice a week, offering fresh organic produce to both local residents and visitors. The Chief Minister also instructed the Tourism Department to promote Hamro Gauley Bazar as a tourist attraction, enabling visitors to experience local organic food and interact directly with farming communities.
Officials said the initiative reflects sustainable development in practice, combining grassroots participation with organic agriculture and rural entrepreneurship, and reinforcing Sikkim’s identity as an organic state.
