Sikkim Organic Festival 2016

January 18-20, 2016

Saramsa Garden , Near Ranipool

Sikkim to be declared as the first Indian State as 100% Organic State

To mark the special achievement of 100% porganic status, the State Government is organizing, “Sikkim Organic  Festival 2016” from 18th  to 20th  January, 2016 with the following objectives-

• To mark the completion of organic certification of all agricultural land and for formal declaration of Sikkim’s achievement of 100 % organic status as per National standards.
• To sustain organic movement in Sikkim and spread the message of organic movement to other States.
• To provide to the farmers of Sikkim, wider exposure to global and national trends in organic markets and get  greater market access.
• To position Sikkim as India’s and perhaps world’s first 100 % organic State and establish it as a trend setter at the global level .
• Finally, to enable Sikkim to attract tourism in general and eco-tourism, sustainable/responsible tourism in specific.

Agriculture being a complex system, that involves diverse production activities and multiple stages starting from production to processing and marketing, all concerned will have to put their minds and heads together to find implementable solutions.

It is with this objective that both the Central and the States/UTs Governments are getting together at Gangtok. It is a fine example of cooperative federalism where the ministers and officers, responsible for agriculture in the country are going to deliberate together for 2-days. They will be supported by scientists, academics, bankers, experts and practitioners so that the suggestions and recommendations are actionable. This Conference is being jointly organized by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India and Government of Sikkim. Sikkim is the first state which is adopting organic farming on a universal basis. It has been a journey for over 12 years beginning 2003. The State has a legislation to back adoption of organic farming as the only farm of cultivation in the state. It also has an Act that prohibits use of agro-chemical in the state. It has already taken steps to convert its entire arable extent of 74,000 ha. into organic farming. It is now focusing on certification, branding, processing and marketing so that the farmers get premium price on the organically cultivated produce. The Prime Minister has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest at the Plenary Session of the National Conference on 18th January, before whom the Groups will make a presentation on the respective subjects. The Prime Minister will also be inaugurating the Flower Show on 18th January and Organic Products Exhibition on 19th January organized by Government of Sikkim. (Text Source: PIB)

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