Swiss Institute signs MoU with Sikkim on organic farming


source; sikkim reporter

Gangtok: Director FIBL Institute of Organic Research Centre of Switzerland Dr Urs Niggli along with Minister for Agriculture, Government of Sikkim, Mr. D.N. Takarpa, Secretary Mr. Vishal Chauhan, Principal Director Mr. K.K Singh and other officials called on Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling at his official residence Mintokgang here in the capital on September 7.

Dr. Niggli was all praise for the kind of work being done by the Chief Minister in making Sikkim an organic state. He also added that though it’s a challenging task but very much possible to achieve with the kind of enthusiasm and sincerity with which Sikkim has been working towards the objective of going organic.

The Director who had earlier visited a village in Kitam, South Sikkim, was very impressed by the farmers for their commitment towards organic farming.

“With the ever growing demand for organic products in the market, if Sikkim can manage to go organic then it will not only yield a great deal of profit and recognition worldwide but will also be an example for others to emulate”, he opined.

Dr. Chamling, on the other hand, hoped to get all possible technical support from Dr. Niggli and his institute to turn the state into fully organic, which will be the first one to achieve this recognition in India.

“Though the task ahead is challenging we are absolutely committed to go total organic by 2015”, Chief Minister affirmed. He added, Sikkim needs all necessary technical know-how, help and support from Dr. Niggli and his institute to make the mission of going organic a reality within the next three years. On the occasion a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Dr. Urs Niggli and Secretary, Agriculture, Government of Sikkim, Mr. Vishal Chauhan, for a long term partnership in which the department will get all possible technical support from the institute on research and training and other related knowledge of organic farming. Calling it “a historic occasion”, Chief Minister hoped that “this partnership will have a lasting and positive effect on achieving the target. (With IPR input)