Recently, Sikkim state celebrated its 6th anniversary as a fully organic state. Sikkim made a mark globally with this achievement. It was the first time any government anywhere globally had attempted and successfully achieved 100% organic status. Following the conversion into an organic state, Sikkim was awarded the One World Award (Grand Prix) by IFOAM-Organics and Rapunzel in 2017 and the Future Policy Gold Award by the esteemed Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2018.
There are many lessons to learn from Sikkim. To achieve this ambitious goal, the government first adopted the resolution in the Legislative Assembly in 2003. Agriculture is a state subject, so they instituted a state policy to convert Sikkim into a fully organic state. Had agriculture been a center subject, they would not have been able to pursue this mission.
They formulated the organic policy and set up the necessary system to do what no other state had yet dared to do. Today, the approach has been lauded by the central government and organizations across the globe. India is also the country with the most considerable output of organic products globally, and Sikkim is a big reason behind this achievement.
Humanity has lived through several revolutions which have changed the way we interact with nature. From the industrial revolution to the digital revolution, we have seen the world become more efficient and productive. However, efficiency and productivity at the cost of our environment are dangerous and short-sighted. Without organic revolution, however, all other revolutions are incomplete. Productivity and protection of the environment must go hand in hand.
Organic Sikkim is an asset not just for Sikkimese people but for the entire global community. It inspires the world, showing that 100% organic is not just a distant dream: it is achievable.
I congratulate the people of Sikkim for achieving this grand feat of becoming the first 100% organic state in the world. I know how difficult it was and how much perseverance and hard work it took to make organic Sikkim possible. It took the contributions and dedication of thousands of farmers, officers, resource persons, and many more. I urge us and all governments to follow the example of Sikkim.
Josephat is an experienced Agribusinessman with particular interest in food security and value addition
