Sikkim becomes unique

Say “Sikkim” and what comes to mind are sprawling green hills, snow peaked mountains, brrrr cold, cobbled streets and a feeling of being lost somewhere in time. But looks like Sikkim is more than just a hill station.

This small state has become the first one in India to be completely rid of pesticides and fertilizers off all its agricultural land. Sikkim has today achieved the unique distinction of being India’s first organic state.

Under the Govt’s National Programme for Organic Production, which was established to promote organic farming, this transformation took place. Apart from no use of pesticides and fertilizers, there is no usage of genetically modified crops and other artificial inputs. Farmers now follow the traditional, old method of farming – green manure and compost. Sikkim has one of the smallest agricultural land area in the country and it mainly produces maize, paddy and cardamom.

The Sikkim Organic Mission (SOM) says on its website, “ban of synthetic fertilisers, and pesticides at local level has led to reduction in the use of fossil fuels and emission of green house gases in addition to sequestering native soil and ecology of the state thereby playing an important albeit small role in mitigating the effects of climate change which is very significant in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.”

Now this is something which other states can surely emulate. It will tough as organic farming is more expensive and yield as expected goes down. But all need to make a beginning or else we are eating dangerously under the guise of eating healthy.