From Soil to Plate, Sikkim's Organic Fate

#B20/#Startup20 Sikkim

Special Feature - 1

In the midst of the mighty Himalayas lies the tiny yet picturesque state of Sikkim, a land of pristine beauty and serenity. But there's something else that's been garnering attention lately - its organic farming practices. Sikkim has been making headlines for its success in embracing organic farming and becoming India's first fully organic state in 2016. Organic farming in Sikkim is not just a trend, but a revolution that has transformed the lives of the people and the land itself. Let's take a closer look at how this revolution has taken shape and the positive way forward.

Organic farming is a type of agricultural production that stresses the use of natural inputs and practices to produce crops and livestock free of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The foundation of organic agriculture is the cultivation and maintenance of healthy soils, biodiversity, and ecosystems.

Chemical-based farming methods have various harmful effects on the environment and human health, and lead to reduced soil fertility and degraded soil structure. Overuse of synthetic fertilizers has led to soil erosion, decreased water-holding capacity, and decreased crop yields over time.

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides leach into groundwater and surface water, leading to contamination of drinking water and aquatic ecosystems and also have negative health effects on farmers, farm workers, and consumers such as increased risk of cancer, respiratory problems, and neurological disorders.

Alternatively, organic farming promotes soil health through crop rotations, cover crops, and natural inputs. This reduces synthetic chemical use and erosion, while improving soil health and fertility. Techniques like crop rotation reduce soil-borne diseases and increase crop yields while natural pesticides like neem cake and neem oil control pests.

In addition, organic farming has economic benefits for farmers and local communities. It can provide a higher income for farmers due to the premium prices that organic products command in the market. It also helps support rural livelihoods and promote food security by diversifying agricultural production and improving access to healthy, locally grown food.

The covid-19 pandemic has changed people’s priorities and how they perceive food. People aren’t just counting calories but looking at the nutritional value of the food they’re eating and whether it’s safe and healthy enough to build a strong immune system.

According to a study by the US-based Mayo clinic, Organic produce is richer in certain antioxidants and flavonoids than conventional produce. These compounds have antioxidant properties, which means they help protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Organic farming practices also allow for more omega-3 fatty acids to be produced in the farm animals. Omega-3 fatty acids are considered heart-healthy fats because they can reduce plaque buildup in arteries and lower blood pressure.

The US National Center for Biotechnology Information states that, organic foods contain much greater levels of vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus than regular chemically grown varieties. They also contain much less nitrate and pesticide residues.

We know that organic farming tends to have lower yields, higher labor costs, can be more time-consuming, and requires organic inputs that are often difficult to obtain and it is for these reasons that the Indian government has been fully committed to supporting organic farming in the country. About 59.1 lakh hectares of land in the country is under organic farming, which represents around four percent of the net sown area. This has increased from 11.83 lakh hectare in 2014[1]

The government's efforts to educate farmers on organic production, create adequate post-harvest infrastructure and market the organic products coupled with the premium price these products fetch all motivate farmers to switch to organic production.

The Government of India promotes organic farming across the country through various schemes such as the ParamparagatKrishiVikasYojana, which promotes cluster-based organic farming with PGS certification. From 2015, the scheme has supported cluster creation, training, certification, and marketing, and it provides Aid of Rs. 50,000 per ha/3 years, of which 62% (Rs. 31,000) is given as an incentive to a farmer towards organic inputs.

Also focusing on exports, the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Area (MOVCDNER) scheme encourages third-party certified organic farming of exotic crops in the northeast region through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).Farmers receive Rs 25,000 per hectare over three years for organic inputs such as organic manure and bio-fertilizers, among other inputs. Moreover, up to Rs 2 crore is provided for the development of FPOs, capacity building, and post-harvest infrastructure.[2]

Farmers can also form groups called Farmer Producer Organizations to leverage economies of scale in the production and marketing of agricultural products. The Indian government has launched a scheme to form and promote 10,000 new FPOs by 2027-28 using Produce Cluster Area and commodity-based approaches. The scheme focuses on "One District One Product" to develop product specialization.

In 2016, Sikkim achieved the extraordinary feat of converting its entire cultivable land to organic certification. It became the first state in the world to be certified as 100% organic.To make Sikkim an organic state, 75,000 hectares of land were converted into organic. The government laid an emphasis on the use of organic inputs and phased out the use of chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides.

Eventually, the Sikkim government banned the use of these chemical inputs. They formed the Sikkim State Board and collaborated with a number of agricultural development and research organizations from India and abroad.

The government of Sikkim focused on the development of village panchayats in the form of agricultural clusters. This resulted in organic farming on 8 lakh 35 thousand hectares of land, which benefitted about 4 lakh farmers.

Following these steps expanded the scope of cultivation in Sikkim with more than 22 lakh hectares of production recorded. The success of organic farming in Sikkim has not gone unnoticed. The United Nations’ Fertilizer and Agriculture Organization (FAO) awarded Sikkim the Oscar Award for achieving the status of a 100% organic state and it was also recognized as the “world’s first organic state” by the World Book of Records London.

The success of organic farming in Sikkim provides valuable lessons and opportunities for other regions of the country to adopt similar practices and promote sustainable agriculture.India has significant potential for organic farming due to its large agricultural sector, diverse agro-climatic conditions, and increasing demand for organic products both domestically and internationally.

The government plans to add 6.5 lakh hectares of land to organic farming in the country under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Area and the ParaparagatKrishiVikasYojana (PKVY) (MOVCDNER)[3]

            India is also one of the largest producers of organic cotton, spices, and tea in the world. The country's diverse agro-climatic conditions enable the production of a wide variety of organic crops, such as cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, and spices, and capitalizing on these by increasing the scope of organic farming in the country will require a greater investment in research and development of methods and practices that are more suited to the diverse agro-climatic conditions of the country.

These can include developing new varieties of organic crops that are more resistant to pests and diseases, as well as conducting research on soil fertility and nutrient management.We must collaborate with farmers, processors, and retailers to form supply chains for organic products in order to establish market connections. This includes establishing organic food processing and packaging units and supporting the development of organic retail outlets and e-commerce platforms. Additionally, we must promote consumer demand for organic products by increasing awareness of the benefits of organic farming and promoting organic products via marketing campaigns and certification programmes.

India's G20 presidency provides an excellent opportunity for the country to showcase its achievements and opportunities in this sector and engage with private and individual players to further its growth prospects. In this regard, the upcoming b2B Conference on Opportunities for Multilateral Business Partnerships in Tourism, Hospitality, Pharmaceutical, and Organic Farming in Gangtok, Sikkim, from 15th to 17th March 2023, is a significant step by the government.

B20 is one of the most prominent groups of the G20 with companies and business forums, representing the global business community. It will provide a platform to various stakeholders in the industry and encourage them to adopt policies that provide financial incentives, technical assistance, and other resources to farmers who transition to organic farming.

Investing in organic agriculture can also help us achieving the UN SDGs such as diversifying the agriculture sector-GOAL #2: Zero Hunger, GOAL #3:Promoting good Health and well-being Systems, GOAL # 12: Responsible production and Consumption.

Overall, organic farming represents a holistic approach to agriculture that prioritizes sustainability, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility, and despite its drawbacks, such as lower yields and lower productivity of land and other resources, it is a vital sector in India with significant growth potential. The government's efforts to promote and support organic farming practices are admirable and have begun to bear fruit. Nonetheless, there is still a great deal that can be done to boost private-sector investments and raise farmers' and consumers' understanding.

By continuing to prioritize and invest in this sector, India can not only achieve further growth but also contribute to global efforts to address climate change and promote healthier food systems and growth and prosperity for all.

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 Disclaimer:   The views expressed by the authors  in this feature are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of PIB.