Beautiful mountains, deep valleys, breathtaking views and smiling people&mdashhowever, these aren&rsquot the only reasons why you should visit Sikkim. The tiny state in eastern India recently became the world&rsquos first organic state Yes, you read that right. Sikkim beat out 51 other nominations from around the world to receive the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation&rsquos (FAO) Future Policy Gold Award or as we call it, a UN Oscar for becoming the world&rsquos first fully organic state.
&ldquoAn organic world is definitely achievable,&rdquo said Sikkim&rsquos Chief Minister, Pawan Kumar Chamling, after accepting the award earlier this week. &ldquoSikkim is an outstanding example on how to successfully transform the food system and ensure respect for people and planet,&rdquo FAO&rsquos deputy director, Maria Helena Semeda, said while presenting the award.
Brazil, Denmark and Quito (Ecuador) shared the Silver award.
Back in 2003, Sikkim adopted policies with a political commitment to support organic farmings. In 2010, it led to the Sikkim Organic Mission. The state&rsquos policies have resulted in it becoming 100 per cent organic, which other Indian states like Kerala are trying to emulate. Initially, the policies were opposed by opposing parties and the chemical sector but overcoming all odds, Sikkim became completely organic in 2015.
While receiving the award, Chamling said it had been important to involve the youth in such a mission for them to be able to educate farmers and develop marketing strategies to help the economy. The transition to organic farming has benefitted over 66,000 family farmers.
