Sikkim Rejects Non-organic Produce

Sikkim government began its Mission Organic in 2003. Following this mission in a holistic manner, the state has proudly achieved the ‘100 percent Organic State’ tag and taking its mission organic to the next level, the government has now decided to ban the import of every non-organic product from March 31, 2018.

Going Organic

Come March 31 and Sikkim will embark on a journey to become the first state to ban the supply of non-organic agriculture, horticulture and livestock produce. The proposal was raised by the by Department of Horticulture and Cash Crops and was also approved during a cabinet meeting on December 14, 2017 which was presided by Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling. The implementation, however, will be made in a phased manner.

According to an official release, a notification that will direct suppliers upon necessary actions to be taken for compliance with the cabinet decision will be issued shortly. This will mandate the prohibition of non-organic agricultural and horticultural and livestock products entering the state.

The government has also put out a list of produce, the entry of which has been barred in the Sikkim market. The list include-maize, beans, brinjal, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, capsicum, carrot, chayote, cucumber, drumstick, lady’s finger, leafy vegetables, spinach, pea, radish, tomato, pointed gourd, banana, guava, mango, orange, papaya, ginger, green chilli and turmeric.

Moreover, products like millet/finger millet, soybean, rapeseed, mustard, onion, potato, garlic, milk & packaged milk and mustard oil cake, will face the same consequence from March 31, 2019.