<span style="color: #222222;">In our series on Atmanirbhar Bharat today, we bring you a special story on the growth in organic farming in the country.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Sikkim is the country's first state to officially adopt organic farming in 2003 and to convert entirely into organic in 2016.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">This resulted in benefits such as sustenance of soil fertility, protection of environment, and greater adoption of farming as a profession due to high demand.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Overall, organic farming has emerged as an example of self-reliance in the small Himalayan state, bringing it global recognition.</span><br />'' <b><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></b><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AIR correspondent reports, in January 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared Sikkim as India's first organic state.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Adoption of bio villages, subsidised rural and vermin-composting pit construction, use of biofertilisers, availability of certified organic manure, local seed production, farmer training and awareness campaigns, and certification of organic products were key highlights of the Sikkim Organic Mission.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Adoption of organic farming has resulted in benefits such as rewarding and sustainable farming, leading to self-reliance; preventing soil loss and leaching of minerals; balanced ecology; improved agro-biodiversity; and lower risk of ailments associated with chemicals.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">East Sikkim-based progressive farmer Bhim Lal Pandey, who has been practising organic farming for around a decade, speaks about its benefits, especially self-reliance and increased income</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">During the COVID19 pandemic, Sikkim has continued to register greater agricultural production, which has helped avoid supply shortages of milk and vegetables, even during the lockdown.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Increased organic farm output from within Sikkim has also resulted in lower reliance on imports from neighbouring states.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Moreover, organic farming practices have helped promote tourism and global branding of organic produce such as Temi Tea in Sikkim.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">This has opened up additional business opportunities, making Sikkim an example in organic farming for the entire Northeast and other aspiring states.</span><br />''