Sikkim should mentor other states in organic produce:Agri Secy

Sikkim, a fully organic state, should mentor other states in marketing of organic produce, Agriculture Secretary S K Pattanayak said today.
With increasing urbanisation, the Sikkim State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation (SIMFED) should make cities a hub for marketing of organic products, he added.
"I am aware of the difficulties of marketing of organic products. But there are great opportunities," Pattanayak said at the launch of the state organic products marketed by SIMFED.
He said marketing of organic products was difficult 20 years back. But now with growing urbanisation, cities can be a hub for marketing of these products.

"Sikkim is marketing state-grown organic cardamom, turmeric, ginger and bulk wheat only. They should also mentor other states in marketing of organic produce," the secretary suggested.
He lauded the state's efforts to sell its organic products in the national capital region.

Stating that Sikkim has shown the way for the rest of the country in organic farming, Pattanayak said that now it has become a people's movement. So much so that fertiliser cooperative IFFCO is partnering to market the organic produce.
He also said that the central government is running two schemes including the Mission on Organic Value Chain Development to promote organic farming.

SIMFED Managing Director Roger R Rai said the cooperative is working with about 5,000 farmers in the state, which has 3,013 hectares under organic farming.
The launch of 35 certified organic food products including unpolished rice and pulses will help farmers.
SIMFED is marketing vast range of organic products in collaboration with QsealAgritech Pvt LTD. Its products are sold in 23 retail shops in the Delhi-NCR areas at present.
Sikkim Agriculture Minister Somnath Poudyal and senior officials SIMFED and state horticulture department were also present at the event.