At an event marking 50 years of Sikkim’s Statehood, the Prime Minister of India said that Sikkim was leading the way for India’s organic food mission.
Key facts about Sikkim
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About Organic Farming
- It is a sustainable agricultural system that avoids synthetic inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, and Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs).
- It relies on crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, off-farm organic waste etc.
- Advantages: Lowers input cost for farmers; improves soil health and biodiversity; healthier, chemical-free food; reduces water pollution etc.
About Sikkim Model of Organic Farming
- It launched Sikkim Organic mission in 2010 and became the world’s first fully organic state by 2016.
- Sikkim also received Future Policy Gold Award by UN Food and Agriculture Organization in 2018 for its leadership in organic agriculture.
- Key Initiatives
- Sikkim State Organic Certification Agency (SOCA): Ensures monitoring and compliance.
- Agricultural Policies: Supporting organic seeds, finances (grants, subsidies), inputs, and local production systems.
- Market Access: Infrastructure and supply chains developed to help farmers sell organic products in domestic and global markets.
