gangtok the next time you stop by in sikkim you might want to look for a souvenir with a difference perhaps a packet of organic paddy or ginger as the state looks set to go completely organic silently this ecological hotspot of the eastern himalayas has moved towards sustainable agriculture in a big way covering almost 90 of its agricultural land use of chemical pesticide insecticide or chemical inputs was slowed down as early as 2003 but what was awaited was blanket certification now even that seems to be on the fast track of 70000 hectares of arable land in sikkim 6000 hectares is already organiccertified by 2015 sikkim aims to be completely organic certified organic farming combines ecologicallysound modern technology with traditional agricultural practices including crop rotation green manure and biological pest control to ensure reduction or total elimination of chemical inputs in several parts of sikkim farmers have succeeded in growing completely organic maize paddy ginger cardamom and turmeric while expanding the practices to other horticultural crops the first step came in may 2003 when the state government withdrew the subsidy on fertilizers from 200607 onwards the transport and handling subsidy and commission to the retailer was also withdrawn alongside the government also adopted a sevenyear plan to phase out use of chemical fertilizers by gradually replacing these with organic sources the government had taken the decision because it had seen the adverse impact of chemical fertilizers on our soil water and on human health considering ours is a biodiversity hotspot says s k gautam secretary in the department of food security and agriculture he however points out that there are difficulties since only 11 of the land is cultivable making the state fooddeficient we need intensive cultivation in the arable land if we have to become food sufficient an action plan is being prepared that will be ready in a couple of months that will help leverage yield from organic agriculture he says there are a few stumbling blocks too the organic manure produced in the state is insufficient and it has to make do with imports from hyderabad and pune additionally vermicompost kits are given to farmers by the government besides assistance for green manure and urine pits the spinoffs however are encouraging village tourism in sikkim will obviously improve homestays will become more popular we believe that the organic tag will boost the inflow of tourists especially international tourists said lukendra rasailly general secretary of travel agents association of sikkim we understand that only organic farming can help us maintain our soil quality and prevent pollution of our water sources it will also be the key to highend tourism hopes rasailly