Photo: Mevedir
The Indian state of Sikkim officially went 100% organic in 2016, with more than 75,000 hectares of land certified. Sikkim’s unique traits — low population density, small landholding size, large natural resource base, historical prevalence of organic farming and political will — have lubricated its organic journey. While there are still challenges, the state’s organic transition is proof that a government can intervene and transform farming. The state government developed 100 model villages where organic farming was demonstrated, and encouraged farmer-producer groups to collectively apply for organic certification. Sikkim’s fragile mountain ecology is thriving today. Rain-fed agriculture has helped reduce the need for irrigation and conserved water. The organic tag is also fueling an increase in wellness tourism, and tourist arrivals in the state have increased by 25% since 2016.
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