PM’s appreciation of Organic Mission a big encouragement, says Agriculture Minister

GANGTOK, 12 June: Minister for Food Security, Agriculture and Horticulture Department, Somnath Poudyal said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his appreciation of Sikkim’s Organic Mission in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday was a big encouragement for Sikkim.  Mr Modi’s statement has further encouraged the state to work harder towards becoming a fully organic by 2015.

Addressing a press conference today, the Minister thanked the Prime Minister on behalf of the Chief Minister and the state government for appreciating and evaluating the works of the state government. He also thanked the CM for being the main person behind the success of the organic mission. The Minister further thanked farmers of the state and to the whole team of Sikkim Organic Mission.

The Minister mentioned that Sikkim is on its way to progress and development and with the PM’s compliment the whole team is now excited to carry forward the organic mission.

Responding to queries from the media, Mr. Poudyal said that strategies and policies have been framed to address challenges related to sustainability and marketing of organic produce once the state goes completely organic by 2015.

Sikkim Organic Mission Principal Executive Director, Khorlo Bhutia mentioned that the mission seeks to get farmers to adopt organic farming voluntarily and this is aimed at making the mission sustainable.

He added that for the sustainability of the mission, education and awareness sessions for farmers has been organized at different levels and at present it is going on in full swing at the ward level.

Apart from the economic gains of the mission, people should not forget the contribution of organic farming towards improving soil health, air and water, environment and good health in general.

Sikkim Organic Mission was launched in the year 2010 to convert the entire state into a fully organic one. 185 organic grower groups are operating in the state at present. Out of 74303 ha land including large cardamom, 26391.0666 ha of area has attained organic status, while 19216.1588 ha area is under IC-II status and 28696. 6170 has area is under IC-I status.

6 APEDA accredited Certification Agencies are involved in certification and 14 service providers, 8 local NGOs of Sikkim and 6 national NGOs, are involved in ICS management and trainings.