Sikkim is the first 100 per cent organic state in the country. All of its farmland is certified organic.<br />'' <br />''The transition has benefitted more than 66,000 farming families that practice organic and agroecological farming on more than 76,000 hectares of land.<br />'' <br />''The process of converting Sikkim into a 100 per cent organic state was fast-tracked in 2010 with the launch of the Sikkim Organic Mission.<br />'' <br />''In the year 2015, entire agricultural area in the state was converted to certified organic and finally in 2016 the state was formally declared a 100 per cent organic state.<br />'' <br />''The policy implemented a phase out of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and achieved a total ban on sale and use of chemical pesticides in the state.<br />'' <br />''At the same time, Sikkim's approach reaches beyond organic production and has proved truly transformational for the state and its citizens.<br />'' <br />''Embedded in its design are socio-economic aspects such as consumption and market expansion, cultural aspects as well as health, education, rural development and sustainable tourism.<br />'' <br />''Dominated by a fragile mountainous environment, Sikkim is not suited to intensive industrial farming and the use of chemicals had always been relatively low compared to other Indian states.<br />'' <br />''The implementation of Sikkim's policy was successful due to the fact that it combines mandatory requirements, such as gradually banning chemical fertilizers and pesticides, with support and incentives, thus providing sustainable alternatives.<br />'' <br />''Sikkim's tourism sector also benefited greatly from the new organic image.<br />'' <br />''Between year 2014 and 2017, the number of tourists increased by over 50 per cent. These efforts paid off, with local authorities experienced an increase in wildlife and bee populations as success.<br />'' <br />''Research by Sikkim University has found a surge in the number of butterfly species in cultivated areas, demonstrating that organic agriculture and wildlife can be mutually beneficial.<br />'' <br />''In 2003, chemical fertilizers and pesticides were phased out in Sikkim in the Himalayas and farmers were trained in organic agriculture.<br />'' <br />''The authorities have identified four cash crops – ginger, buckwheat, turmeric and cardamom – as potential drivers of organic exports, but Sikkim lacks the infrastructure to effectively commercialise its agricultural products.<br />'' <br />''Sikkim's villages are scattered and during the monsoon season, landslides often block its few roads, isolating entire districts for weeks at a time.<br />'' <br />''Self-sufficiency has always been a necessity in such a challenging environment and it has taught the Sikkimese to speak the language of nature.<br />'' <br />''Income from tourists interested in experiencing what the world's first fully organic state has to offer can only help, at least once coronavirus fears have subsided and international tourists are again allowed to enter India.<br />'' <br />''For its noteworthy achievements, holistic approach and its respect for the Future Just Lawmaking Principles and Elements of Agroecology, Sikkim's State Policy on Organic Farming (2004) and Sikkim Organic Mission (2010) were recognized with the Future Policy Gold Award 2018, awarded by the World Future Council in partnership with the FAO and IFOAM – Organics International.<br />