ORGANIC STATE

The Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pawan Chamling, made a declaration in the Budget session of Sikkim Legislative Assembly in February, 2003 to make Sikkim an Organic State with doing away with the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, plant growth regulators and additives in the state.  This decision has been arrived at with the objective to achieve an economically and environmentally sustainable production system of agriculture and to promote soil, plant, animal, human and environmental health and well being.  With so many benefits of organic farming, it becomes a policy seeking to promote technically sound, economically viable, environmentally non-degrading, and socially acceptable use of natural resources – land, water and genetic endowment to promote sustainable development of agriculture.

The concerned Departments of Agriculture and Horticulture have already started the measures to discourage use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides along with simultaneous substitution of requisite plant nutrients and plant protection measures through the available organic alternatives.  Sikkim, being a state with mixed farming system established long ago and being one of the states with the lowest consumption rates for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, has all the advantages for going organic.  The present status of fertilizer consumption in Sikkim is 20.38 kg per hectare in terms of materials or 10.26 kg per hectare in terms of nutrients.  Whilst, the present consumption rate of pesticides is 24 grams per hectare only.  The disadvantages encountered at the moment are the lack of prescribed standards, certification, accreditation and marketing system for organic food, because organic farming needs to be carried out under the legally enforceable standards with official inspection and accreditation system.  Hence, there is lot to do with initial sensitizing process and initiation with available possibilities and then with gradual development of infrastructures for organic research, inputs, legislation, handling and marketing. 

 PROSPECTIVE ROADMAP TO ORGANIC FARMING IN SIKKIM

Taking into consideration of various advantages and disadvantages as well as the present status of fertilizer and pesticide consumption, there are two clear-cut approaches that can be adopted in Sikkim at present. 

                                    Firstly, it would be worthwhile to discourage the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides and making simultaneous substitution of artificial fertilizers and pesticides by organic manures and fertilizers and biological plant protection measures.

                                    Secondly, it is necessary to initiate establishment of basic infrastructures and statutory requirements to effect the actual organic farming process in Sikkim in the absence of national policy, standards, and accreditation, certification and marketing systems.

  PRESENT POSSIBILITIES AND PROGRAMMES

The programmes for going organic in Sikkim started with substitution of synthetic fertilizers by organic manures and fertilizers like organic fertilizers, bio-fertilizers, effective microbial technology, organic soil conditioners, agronomic practices, vermi-compost and other organic manures and composts as well as with the substitution of chemical pesticides by biological measures like agronomic practices, mechanical control measures, biological pesticides, legislative and biodynamic means.  This process will be intensified in gradual manner and ultimately doing away totally with the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides in five to six years period.

3.1          Options under Plant Nutrients

3.1.1        FYM  (well-rotted cow dung manure with local additives)

3.1.2        Organic composts

3.1.3        Vermi-compost

3.1.4        Biofertilizers – Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), blue green algae, Azolla, etc.

3.1.5        Effective Microbial technology – using microorganisms like Lactobacillus, Photosynthetic bacteria, and Yeast

3.1.6        Organic soil conditioners

3.1.7        Green manuring –  using leguminous crops

3.1.8        Organic fertilizers – Rock-phosphate, Bonemeal, Dolomite, HumusPlus4 Organic Fertilizer, Carbonite12 Granulated Fertilizer, etc.

3.1.9        Biodynamic means – animal or plant extracts

3.1.10    Agronomic practices affecting nitrogen fixation. 

3.2          Options under Plant Protection

3.2.1        Agronomic Practices – Such as crop rotation, deep ploughing, use of resistant and tolerant varieties, plant spacing, mixed cropping, adjustment in sowing time, depth of planting, field sanitation, use of disease-free seed, rouging, use of water jets, distracting crops, etc.

3.2.2        Physical/Mechanical Control Measures – Such as hand collection and destruction of life stage, collection and destruction of infested old leaves, destruction of alternate host plants, growing trap crops, light trap, electronic or sonic pest repellers, bird scarer, use of specific pheromone, and other insects and rodent traps.

3.2.3        Biological Measures – Lab-based Trichoderma viridae, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichogramma, Beauvaria bassiana (fungus), Metarrhizium, Chrysoperla, Bacillus thuringeniesis var. israelensis, Bacillus thuringeniesis var. galleriae, Bacillus thuringeniesis var. kurstaki, Pseudomonas florescens (bacteria), etc. and natural Coccinella beetles, wasps, birds, etc.

3.2.4        Antimicrobial Pesticides – NPV of Spodoptera litura, NPV of Helicoverpa armigera, Trichoderma, Pseudomonas florescens, etc.

3.2.5        Plant Pesticides – Based on Pyrethrum, Neem (Azadirachta indica), Garlic, Karanj (Pongamia pinnata), Nicotine (Imidachloprid, Acetamiprid, etc.)

3.2.6        Change in plant - genetic materials (a question of research)

3.2.7        Biochemical Pesticides – Extracts from non-toxic substances, Novaluron, Pheromones, Neem based pesticides, Pythethrum (extract of Chrysanthemum), Acetamiprid (nicotine-based), B.T. (Bacillus thuringensis), Imiclachloprid (nicotine-based), Spinosad (Actinomycetes), etc.

3.2.8        Legislative Measures - Establishment of phytosanitary units and plant quarantine centres at entry points.

FUTURE PLANS AND PROGRAMMES

It is imperative to initiate development of basic infrastructures and statutory requirements in order to develop actual organic farming in Sikkim in a due course of time.  The following action plan needs to be implemented at the initial years of process in the State.

·                    Constitution of a Sikkim State Organic Board for drawing all the policy matters and strategic plans as well as for developing standards and regulations of organic farming and foods.

·                    Determination of the Nodal Department and the concerned Departments or organizations for registration, conversion, monitoring, certification, marketing and evaluation.

·                    Commencement of research initiatives, relating to organic farming and consequently establishing an Organic Research Institute in the State.

·                    Setting up of an Organic Conversion Information Service to sensitize the farming community for taking up organic farming in the State.

·                    Formulation of Organic Aid Schemes for the conversion period as well as for continuing organic production subsequently.

·                    Establishment of the Organic Industry Working Group to develop an action plan for organic farming for processed products.

·                    Formation of Organic Market Promotion Units for development and creation of organic markets.

·                    Creation of the category-wise organic farming schemes and organic action plans to set the targets of conversion to be achieved.

·                    Setting up of Quality Laboratory for analyzing farm and processed agricultural products.

·                    Building of technical manpower for organic farming and its related activities like certification and record keeping.

·                    Effecting transfer of technology and information dissemination to producers, focusing the changes required for addressing the changed circumstances of the sector.

·                    Establishment of Accreditation & Certification Agencies.

·                    Periodical evaluation and review.

CONCLUSION

Sustainable agriculture is an agricultural system that is economically viable for the individual farmer, environmentally sound, and socially just by support in rural communities.  Such a system enhances a farm family's quality of life and ensures that future generations will continue to produce high quality food from a land with fertile, living soils; clear water and air; lush landscapes; and abundant wild life.  Farming sustainable is farming with nature and exhibits an understanding of biological processes besides strong; viable communities are nurtured and supported.

As a matter of fact, Sikkim grows most of its crops more or less in organic conditions.  Whether its commercial large cardamom or exquisite orchids, sweet mandarin orange or trenchant cherry pepper, typical buckwheat or unique pulses, all are one hundred per cent organic produce.  And with the initiative made by Chief Minister, Shri Pawan Chamling, Sikkim becomes one among the first states to opt Organic Farming in the country.