Modi declares Sikkim as country's first organic state

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday declared Sikkim as the country's first organic state, adding that it will soon become the harbinger of organic farming not only in India but around the world. He also batted for the expansion of organic farming across the country as part of efforts to transform the agriculture sector entailing better remuneration for farmers.

Addressing a conference of Agriculture Ministers of states in Gangtok, he also pitched for creating farming-oriented mobile phone apps, online mandis and value addition to farming, while talking about the benefits of the recently-announced Crop Insurance Scheme and Soil Health Card.

As a means of financial security to farmers, who suffer due to the vagaries of weather, Modi suggested that they should divide their farming activities in three equal parts – regular farming involving crop production, growing of trees for economically-valuable timber and animal husbandary. He added that timber and animal husbandary products could act as fallback options in case the crop fails and the farmer would not face the situation of "helplessness".

To address the problem of fruit wastage, Modi said he had asked the companies producing aerated drinks to mix 5 per cent of fruit juice in their products so that farmers don't suffer financial losses. "If we see farmers, agriculture and villages in pieces, then the country will not benefit. We have to see agriculture in a holistic manner," he said, adding he had come here with Agriculture Ministers of all states to discuss how to transform India's agriculture.

He said Sikkim is scaling new heights of development, while keeping the environment protected.

Modi also referred to organic farming, which is a success story in Sikkim, and appealed to other states: "Select a district or a block or Taluka, comprising about 100-150 villages, strategically (for organic farming) and try it... If the experiment succeeds, farmers in other places will follow it on their own. Farmers may not be influenced by any amount of lectures by scientists...For them, seeing is believing." 

Asking the states to decide in which direction to proceed, Modi suggested that they should not discouraged by opposition. "When the idea of organic farming would have been shared over a decade ago (in Sikkim), I am sure people would have opposed this. But farmers in Sikkim did not give up...For over a decade, they stuck to this. It is not a small thing. Sikkim has shown the way and what we are seeing today is the result of tremendous hardwork and belief in an idea," he said. 

Asking states to ensure that organic farming becomes successful, Modi said there is a great demand worldover for organic products and such farming will be beneficial for the farmers as well as the country. Describing Sikkim as 'Sukhistan' (land of happiness), Modi said: "Those who do not give up their desire or their path, they end up achieving something in life....Small experiments will not give the feeling of change."  

Underlining the need for looking at the farming sector in a "changed scenario", he said, "As far as agriculture is concerned, there can be many reasons for despondency as there have been many experiences (in the past).. To infuse new hope is a challenge and will have to take it up." 

Taking a dig at the previous governments, Modi said earlier the issues of agriculture would be discussed at Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi where Agriculture Ministers of states would come, speak and go. "It is for the first time that the Agriculture ministers are sitting for two days to deliberate on the issues concerning farming and looking for short-term, long-term solutions, using technological advances," he said.