Sikkim has turned out to be the India’s first fully organic state by implementing organic practices. As per the guidelines laid down in National Programme for Organic Production, 75,000 hectares of agricultural land was gradually converted to certified organic land by implementing organic principles.
- The formal announcement regarding this will be made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at sustainable agriculture conference in Gangtok on January 18.
Who are the promoters of “Sikkim as an organic state”?
The promoters of Sikkim as an organic farming state was the Pawan Chamling-led government who have decided this 12 years ago in 2003 through a declaration in the legislative assembly.
- In this regard, entry of chemical inputs for farmland was restricted and their sale banned. Farmers therefore had no option but to go organic.
Benefit of Organic Farming to Sikkim:
Organic cultivation is free of chemical pesticides and chemical fertilizers as it maintains harmonious balance with a complex series of ecosystems. In the long term, organic farming leads in subsistence of agriculture, bio-diversity conservation and environmental protection.
- Sustainable farming will also help in building the soil health resulting in sustainable increased crop production.
- It will also boost the tourism industry in the tiny landlocked Himalayan state.
- Resorts have already been marketing themselves as completely organic where tourists can pluck, cook and relish fresh organic food from their kitchen gardens.
Keys Sikkim:
Capital – Gangtok
CM – Pawan Kumar Chamling
Governor – Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil
Major crops – large cardamom, ginger, turmeric, off-season vegetables, flowers, Sikkim mandarin, kiwi, buck wheat, paddy maize and millets.
State Animal – Red Panda
State Bird – Blood Pheasant
State Flower – Noble Orchid
State Tree – Rhododendron
