Gangtok, Dec 21 (IANS): The Sikkim government will provide jobs for 17,000 youth in the first phase of the 'One Family One Job' scheme it is launching in the northeastern state.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling also asked the youth to take to agriculture and said it would soon become a "lucrative" profession because of the high demand for its produce in India's first organic state.

Chamling stressed upon the selection of genuine candidates under this scheme and urged public representatives to submit names after a thorough scrutiny. He said the government will give priority to ad hoc teachers in any interview based on their experience and other criteria.

Chamling had mooted the welfare scheme on November 14 to ensure financial security of the people of the Himalayan state and said that the policy decision will come into effect by December to enable the first lot of beneficiaries to join work from January 2, 2019.

Speaking at the state-level Panchayat and Organic Growers' Sammelan held at Saramsa Garden, Ranipool in East Sikkim on Friday, Chamling pointed out that Sikkim was the first state to start Krishi Pension.

The pension consists of Rs 1,000 per month to all farmers of the state above the age of 50 years and proactively engaged in the profession of agriculture.

Calling agriculture and allied industries a "super industry", he urged the youth to come forward and embrace the field. He encouraged youths to use the Start-Up Scheme of the government in the field of agriculture entrepreneurship and allied sectors.