Sikkim government revives SEED Cell to boost grassroots entrepreneurship
The scheme played a key role in reducing dependency on government jobs and encouraging self-sustainability. Its impact was so transformative that other states, including Kerala, expressed keen interest in replicating the model.
LOCAL
The Government of Sikkim has reconstituted the SEED Cell (Sikkim Entrepreneurs Empowerment and Development Cell), a pioneering initiative that had earlier given birth to the widely acclaimed “One Family One Entrepreneur” (OFOE) scheme. The move comes under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, who has once again placed grassroots empowerment at the heart of his development strategy.
The newly restructured SEED Cell will now be headed by Shri Raju Tamang as its President. He will be joined by a fresh team of dedicated individuals, handpicked for their commitment to community upliftment, innovation, and inclusive growth. Their collective mandate is to carry forward the original mission of the Cell—to inspire every Sikkimese family to dream, create, and thrive as self-reliant entrepreneurs.
The reconstitution marks a new chapter for SEED Cell, which was initially launched as a platform to transform everyday citizens into business owners. At the core of its philosophy lies a simple but powerful idea: that every family in Sikkim should have at least one entrepreneur. It was this bold vision that led to the creation of the OFOE scheme—a program that not only offered financial and training support but also helped instill confidence in thousands of local families.
Under the OFOE scheme, the state witnessed an unprecedented wave of small businesses emerging across sectors—organic farming, handicrafts, food processing, eco-tourism, service startups, and more. The scheme played a key role in reducing dependency on government jobs and encouraging self-sustainability. Its impact was so transformative that other states, including Kerala, expressed keen interest in replicating the model.
The restructuring of the SEED Cell now signals a renewed political and administrative commitment to nurturing homegrown entrepreneurs. According to government officials, the updated structure is expected to enhance operational efficiency, improve outreach, and widen the impact of future programs.
“The revival of SEED Cell with new leadership is not just symbolic—it is a strategic intervention,” said a senior official from the Chief Minister’s Office. “Our aim is to build a culture where entrepreneurship becomes a way of life. We want to enable people from all walks of life, from remote villages to urban centres, to become active participants in shaping Sikkim’s economy.”