Sikkim’s ‘organic farming’ highlighted in Bio Fach India 2009

GANGTOK, November 27: The State Agriculture Minister Dawcho Lepcha cited Sikkim’s ‘organic farming’ initiative during the international organic trade fair held in Mumbai from November 18 to 20.
Addressing the event held under the banner of ‘Bio Fach India 2009’, which was attended by Minister for State, Agriculture, Chairman Bio Fach, president ICCOA and delegates from different countries across the world, Mr. Lepcha said that Sikkim was putting concerted efforts towards organic farming. He said, the State, which was declared ‘Organic State’ in 2003 was presently in transition period and envisages becoming fully organic five years from now by 2015.
“Following the landmark decision, a total ban on subsidy transport and handling subsidy including commission to retail agents) in case of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides as a first small step was affected immediately to discourage farmers from resorting to such unsustainable options,” he said.
The Sikkim minister further informed that a number of organic initiatives have been launched with the noteworthy ones being setting up of a centre of excellence of organic farming, awareness programmes on the benefits of organic farming, demonstration programmes, adoption of bio-villages in pilot areas and initiation of the processes of internal control system and organic certification, etc.
“Morarka foundation and HARC are two major service providers along with local MEVEDIR facilitating the process of certification of the farms in the state and so far, a little more than 6000 ha are presently covered in the first phase,” Mr. Lepcha said adding that the target coverage to achieve was 60,000 ha or more by the end of 2015”.

Sikkim’s organic products showcased in Germany

Sikkim signs MoU with ICCOA for organic research on five major export-oriented crops from the State.

GANGTOK, November 21: A delegation of State Agriculture and Horticulture Department led by its minister Dawcho Lepcha, farmers and members from Mevedir participated in the International Organic Trade Fair – ‘BioFach India’ organized by Nurnberg/Messe Gmbh, Germany together with ICCOA (International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture) and India Organic at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai.
The International exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. Lepcha amidst a galaxy of players in organic field from across the globe, said a press release issued today. The Sikkim participants showcased Sikkim’s organic products. Biofach India also has given the participants a platform to learn about the various developments taking place in the organic sector around the world and also interact with other farmers and share their experiences, said the release.

“The state pavilion bedecked with all the organic farm produces from the state received lot of appreciation and enquiries from everyone visiting the stall,” the release further said adding that the same depicts the prospects of organic farming.

It is also informed that Mevedir, a private company from Sikkim serving as service providers for establishing Internal Control System for Organic Certification in Sikkim benefitted a lot with these interactions. “This event will serve as a boost to strengthen their forward linkages ultimately benefitting the organic farmers of the state,” the release said.

During the inaugural session, a Memorandum of Understanding between ICCOA and Government of Sikkim was signed which will deal with organic research on five major export-oriented crops from the state.

Mr. Lepcha in his inaugural address highlighted the different activities vis-à-vis organic farming being undertaken in Sikkim and strongly emphasized the vision of Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, of converting Sikkim into a fully ‘organic state’ by the year 2015. He also expressed Sikkim’s aspiration to place itself as one of the prominent players in the global organic map in the near future. Lastly he wished Biofach a grand success and strongly commended the efforts put in by the organizers to hold an event of such a magnitude. He also thanked the organizers for recognizing the potential of Sikkim and for the invitation to participate in this international event on Organic Farming.
The delegation from Sikkim comprised of SK Sinha, Principal Director, FSADD, Phetuk T. Bhutia, Director NRM, Directors DK Rai and Topchen Lepcha, Addl. Director HCCDD, GP Chauhan, Jt. Director, KK Pradhan and other departmental officers. The team from Mevedir was led by the Managing Director Neil P Chettri, Executive Director Arjun Chettri, Chief Coordinating Officer Renzino Lepcha and other members.

Sikkim demands subsidy for organic fertilizers

Gangtok,October27: The Government of Sikkim, farmers and other stakeholders of Agriculture in the State came together on Monday, October 25, to urge the Union Government of India to extend its fertilizer subsidy support to organic fertilizers, while implementing the newly proposed direct subsidy system. They deliberated at a public consultation on the fertilizer subsidy reforms organized by Greenpeace India. Sikkim has adopted an organic agriculture policy and is planning to go completely organic by 2015. The State has adopted a plan to phase out the use of chemical fertilizers by 2010-11.
“We welcome the Central Government’s move to give fertilizer subsidy directly to the farmers, but we are concerned that the farmers of Sikkim will not be benefitted from this scheme as it only covers chemical fertilizers whereas States like Sikkim have adopted an organic policy. We demand that the subsidy support be extended to organic fertilizers as well, so that the farmers from this organic state are also benefitted”, said Mr. Dawcho Lepcha, Minister for Food Security and Agriculture Development, Sikkim, in a written statement which was read out at the meeting.
Mr. SK Gautam, Secretary, Department of Food Security and Agriculture Development who inaugurated the consultation said, “Greenpeace has been championing the cause of clean and green environment and I congratulate them for taking up this crucial subject of fertilizer subsidy reforms with more inclusive participation of various stakeholders in Agriculture.” He further said, “The Central Government while reforming the subsidy policy should adopt a holistic approach encompassing various aspects of production systems including bio-dynamics, organic farming, natural farming etc. Organic fertilizers and other soil amendments which are important constituents in improving soil health should also be brought under the purview of fertilizer subsidy policy.”
“Farmers who adopt eco-friendly agricultural practices have historically been denied the benefits of the Central Government subsidy”, said Gopikrishna SR, Sustainable Agriculture Campaigner Greenpeace India.