Sikkim is the first organic state
in the world. All of its farmland is certified organic. At the same time,
Sikkim’s approach reaches beyond organic production and has proven truly
transformational for the state and its citizens. Sikkim became the first state
in India to officially announce the adoption of organic farming in the year
2003 to ensure long term sustenance of soil fertility, protection of
environment and ecology, healthy living and decreasing the risk of health
ailments.
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| Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling courtesy- Socialstory |
Sikkim has earned the badge of being the world's first 100
percent organic state. The state, which walked away with the Future Policy
Award, 2018, at a UN ceremony in Rome, also received an "Oscar" for
best policies at the ceremony after bolstering its efforts to attain
sustainable development goals.
Sikkim is
a state in northeast India. It borders Tibet in the north and northeast, Bhutan
in the east, Nepal in the west, and West Bengal in the south. Sikkim is also
located close to India's Siliguri Corridor near Bangladesh. Sikkim is the least
populous and second smallest among the Indian states. But Sikkim managed to
succeed in its mission overcoming all the obstacles. Around 12 years ago, in
2003, the then Pawan Chamling led government took this decision through a
declaration in the legislative assembly. The movement started in Sikkim State
Legislative Assembly during 2003 with the following historic declaration:
"I am pleased to announce a long-awaited policy initiative in declaring Sikkim as a ‘Total Organic State"
Important organically grown cash crops of the state are
oranges, large cardamom, ginger, turmeric, cherry paper, baby corn, buck heat,
pulses, etc. All these organic crops have a high demand in domestic and
international markets.
Sikkim sets an excellent example of how other
Indian states and countries worldwide can successfully upscale agroecology, The 2018 Future Policy Award (FPA) commended proven policies that
effectively scale up agroecological approaches at local, national and
international levels. It celebrated outstanding examples for accelerating the
transformative change in the way food is produced and consumed.
Sources