Sikkim’s organic products showcased in Germany

Sikkim signs MoU with ICCOA for organic research on five major export-oriented crops from the State.

GANGTOK, November 21: A delegation of State Agriculture and Horticulture Department led by its minister Dawcho Lepcha, farmers and members from Mevedir participated in the International Organic Trade Fair – ‘BioFach India’ organized by Nurnberg/Messe Gmbh, Germany together with ICCOA (International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture) and India Organic at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai.
The International exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. Lepcha amidst a galaxy of players in organic field from across the globe, said a press release issued today. The Sikkim participants showcased Sikkim’s organic products. Biofach India also has given the participants a platform to learn about the various developments taking place in the organic sector around the world and also interact with other farmers and share their experiences, said the release.

“The state pavilion bedecked with all the organic farm produces from the state received lot of appreciation and enquiries from everyone visiting the stall,” the release further said adding that the same depicts the prospects of organic farming.

It is also informed that Mevedir, a private company from Sikkim serving as service providers for establishing Internal Control System for Organic Certification in Sikkim benefitted a lot with these interactions. “This event will serve as a boost to strengthen their forward linkages ultimately benefitting the organic farmers of the state,” the release said.

During the inaugural session, a Memorandum of Understanding between ICCOA and Government of Sikkim was signed which will deal with organic research on five major export-oriented crops from the state.

Mr. Lepcha in his inaugural address highlighted the different activities vis-à-vis organic farming being undertaken in Sikkim and strongly emphasized the vision of Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, of converting Sikkim into a fully ‘organic state’ by the year 2015. He also expressed Sikkim’s aspiration to place itself as one of the prominent players in the global organic map in the near future. Lastly he wished Biofach a grand success and strongly commended the efforts put in by the organizers to hold an event of such a magnitude. He also thanked the organizers for recognizing the potential of Sikkim and for the invitation to participate in this international event on Organic Farming.
The delegation from Sikkim comprised of SK Sinha, Principal Director, FSADD, Phetuk T. Bhutia, Director NRM, Directors DK Rai and Topchen Lepcha, Addl. Director HCCDD, GP Chauhan, Jt. Director, KK Pradhan and other departmental officers. The team from Mevedir was led by the Managing Director Neil P Chettri, Executive Director Arjun Chettri, Chief Coordinating Officer Renzino Lepcha and other members.