Organic farming: Back to the RootsIntegrating Organic farming & Tourism in Sikkim

Government of Sikkim

Geographical area: 7,096 sq. km.

Literacy : 81.40%

Sikkim

Net area sown: 77,179.41 Ha

Population: 6,10,577 (2011)

Sikkim- Geo-diversity map

Sikkim

Taxa Numbers

FloweringPlants 4458

Orchids 527

Rhododendrons 38Conifers 16

Bamboo 11

Fernsandfernallies 480

Treeferns 9Primulas 58

Oaks 11

MedicinalPlants 700Mammals 125

Birds 574

Reptiles 88

Amphibians 50Butterflies 689

Fishes 48

Sikkim: Geographical & Biodiversity features

Revisiting some words/concepts of OA

"Organic Agriculture is a production system that

sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people.

It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and

cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the

use of inputs with adverse effects.

Organic Agriculture combines tradition, innovation

and science to benefit the shared environment and

promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for

all involved.”

(IFOAM definition: 2008, GA Vignola)

The Principle of

Health

Organic Agriculture

should sustain and

enhance the health of

soil, plant, animal,

human and planet as

one and indivisible.

The Principle of

Ecology

Organic Agriculture

should be based on

living ecological

systems and cycles,

work with them,

emulate them and help

sustain them.

The Principle of

Fairness

Organic Agriculture

should build on

relationships that ensure

fairness with regard to

the common

environment and life

opportunities.

The Principle of

Care

Organic Agriculture

should be managed in a

precautionary and

responsible manner to

protect the health and

well being of current and

future generations and the

environment.

The basic principles (Endorsed by IFOAM, Sept. 2005)

The basic principles (Endorsed by IFOAM, Sept. 2005)

“Organic Agriculture in the 21st century” (Reganold and Wachter, 2016)http://www.nature.com/articles/nplants2015221

Sustainability Comparison (12 parameters)

Historic Declaration in the State Legislative

Assembly in the year 2003 to transform Sikkim into

a fully organic state

Important policy decisions:

• Sikkim stopped receiving the Government of India quota of Chemical fertilizers since 2005

• Sikkim Organic Policy formulated

• “The Sikkim Agricultural, Horticultural input and Livestock Feed Regulatory Act, 2014” enacted

Infrastructures established:

• Sikkim seed & soil testing laboratories• Mobile soil testing vans • Bio fertilizer production unit • Ginger processing unit • Tissue culture Lab • Automated Green house for planting material production• Rural and Vermi Compost units for on farm manure production

National Level Workshop on Organic Farming

(17th & 18th March 2010)

Official launch of Sikkim Organic Mission

(15th August, 2010)

Government interventions:

• Sikkim Organic Mission launched in 2010

• Target of 74,303 ha set for organic certification

• 14 Service providers for ICS management and 6 accredited Certification

Agencies engaged for certification

• 3 Livelihood schools established in 2010

• 836 unemployed youth trained and 767 engaged in ICS management

SIKKIM ORGANIC MISSION IS AN ARTICLE OF FAITH

FOR US

Gram Panchayat:• Gram Panchayat units organized

special Gram Sabhas to create

awareness

Rural Management Department: • Convergence of MG-NREGA

• Plantation of Sikkim Mandarin and l.

cardamom

• Cow shed and rural composting units

construction.

• Community water harvesting tank

construction

• Rejuvenation of Sikkim mandarin and

large cardamom orchard.

Agriculture Department• Organic regulatory inspectors (ORI)

deployed at boarder check post

Forest Department • Ban imposed on burning of Bio-mass.

Urban Development Department:• Trade License Act amended- substituted the word “chemical fertilizers”

with “inputs of organic origin”, prohibiting the sale of chemical inputs

Transport Department • Not to transport chemical fertilizers and pesticides

SIKKIM ORGANIC MISSION IS AN ARTICLE OF FAITH

FOR US

Education Department (HRDD):• Chapter on ‘Organic Farming’ included in the 5th Standard course curriculum

of Govt. schools

SIKKIM ORGANIC MISSION IS AN ARTICLE OF FAITH

FOR US

Certified area No of farmers No of Grower groups

76169.604 ha 66,227 191

Organic Certification: (India-NPOP & USDA-NOP Standards)

(as on 2015)

Looking back at Sikkim’s organic journey

Foundation2003

Preparatory 2004-2010

Implementation 2010-2015

Achieved

Awareness at all levels Certified area: 76,169.604 ha No of registered farmer: 66,227 No of growers groups: 191 Status of organic farming State

Celebrated

SOF-January, 2016

Next is: Empowering farmers and creating Sustainable Organic Value Chain System

Empowering farmers through FIG/FPO

Creation of post harvest infrastructures

Establishment of integrated processing unit

Establishment of world class Spices Park

Establishment of world class Agri Park

Only processed organic product to export

Vision – 2018

Farmers welfare

• Improved soil health

• Access to healthy food

• Organic certification

• Premium price

Social services

Ecological services

Recognitions

Economic services: Agri-business, Tourism, etc.

Empowering farmers through FPO

Production of marketable volume with consistency Processing,

labelling and brand positioning

Creation of sustainable supply chain system

Benefits

Bridging the gaps

NOFRII

NOFRII

Institutions

• NOFRI• SSOCA• Horti. college

GoIsupport

• MOVCD NER• PKVY

• Sikkim adjudged as No.1 in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel -2014 Top 10 regions

• Organic Sikkim- added immense value to Brand Sikkim

• 25% increase in tourist inflow from 2014 to 2015

(DoT, 2016)

Impacts of Organic Agriculture on Sikkim’s Tourism sector

Integrating Organic Farming & Tourism:Treading a new path in Sikkim

• Agriculture & Tourism: Key economic drivers for Sikkim’s economy– Main contributors to GSDP

– Leading sectors for employment & revenue generation especially for remote areas

• Sectoral Transformation: Both Agriculture & Tourism are transforming– Revisiting traditional farming methods

through ORGANIC FARMING

– Adoption of responsible, sustainable and inclusive tourism practices

– Emphasis on developing tourism segments like ecotourism, rural tourism, agro tourism, etc.

– Important initiatives fostering transformation-

• ORGANIC MISSION

• SUSTAINABLE TOURISM INITIATIVES

• SIKKIM BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND FOREST MANAGEMENT

Organic Farming & Tourism in Sikkim: Facts & Trends

Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project

- Implementation agency- Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management (FEWMD) Dept., Govt. of Sikkim

- Comprehensive development of ecotourism sector of Sikkim -Policy formulation, Institutionalization, Ecotourism Zones, Capacity building, Marketing & Promotion, etc.

- 11 Ecotourism zones- covering all the 4 districts of the state

- Diverse categories- Zones are being developed as independent destinations and categorized based on its core feature

- Nature – Okharey Zone, Nampong-Lingdok, etc.

- Culture- Dzongu, Lachung, etc.

- Agrotourism (Organic) - East Pendam, Lingee-Payong, etc.

Agro-ecotourism is being introduced in Sikkim in a planned and organized way through departmental (FEWMD & Dept. of Agriculture ) convergence

• Agro-tourism: Activities focused on attracting tourists to a farm, farm village, processing center, etc. and giving opportunities for them to experience farming, village life, processing, etc.

• Ecotourism: Typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions

• Agro-Ecotourism – combination of agro-tourism & ecotourism

• Goals of agro-ecotourism: • Enjoyment & relaxation

• involve & experience village life, farming activities, etc.

• Interpretation & education

• Purchase of products/souvenir

• Generate revenue & employment

Agro-ecotourism: What is it?

Ecotourism

opportunities

Fairs

Festivals

Events

Pick Your

Own

Produce/Fruits

FlowersWildlife

&

Fishing

Farm fresh

harvesting

& cooking

Organic farm &

Activities

Visit to Farms &

Farm

Market

Home stays /

HotelsProduct

Processing

centers

Ecotourism

opportunities

Nature

Hike/Bike

Cultural

Heritage

Machinery

People

Community

Arts &

Crafts

Processing &

Packaging

Education

Schools

Tours

Events

Pick Your

Own

Produce/Fruits

Flowers Milking/

Cattle rearing

Baseline Information

Stakeholder Involvement

Insitutionalisation

Benefit sharing mechanismMarketing

Operations Management

Monitoring

& Evaluation

Agro-ecotourism

Development

Innovation & Product

improvement

Ecotourism development - Steps

1 2

3

4

678

9

10

Training & Capacity Building 5

Product & Packagebuilding

Critical success factors for Ecotourism

Community participation & Capacity

building

Project Sustainability-Environmental,

Cultural & Economical

Organizational set up

Maximize tourist

satisfaction

• Located in East District (appx. 50kms from

Gangtok )

• Three stage Development Process– Preparatory (Awareness building, stakeholder

consultation, Tourism Resources Mapping, etc.)

– Development (Capacity building & Training, Product & Package development, Enterprise development & management)

– Operationalization (Marketing, Product & package building, etc.)

• Current status:– Development stage is progressing

– Target to open up zone for tourists by November-December, 2016

Developing a model Agro-Ecotourism Zone in Sikkim

Khangchendzonga National Park(1st UNESCO Heritage Site from India in mixed category)

CONTEXT

Sikkim- India’s 1st fully Organic farming state

Sikkim Organic Festival-2016

Sikkim Organic Festival-2016

Sikkim Organic Festival-2016

Sikkim Organic Festival-2016

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Sikkim Organic Festival-2016

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Sikkim Organic Festival-2016

Publications: Sikkim- Towards a Fully Organic State

Organic Sikkim- Leading a Change. “Handbook of Organic Crop Production in Sikkim” Transforming Rural Sikkim- Year round organic crop production Sikkim Organic Mission- Journey of an organic state.

WHAT WE LEAVE BEHIND FOR OUR FUTURE IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY

ACT RESPONSIBLY.GO ORGANIC.

Mt. Khangchendonzga, 8598 m

Government of Sikkim