GANGTOK, JUN 1 (PTI): The opposition Sikkim Democratic Front on Monday welcomed the Centre’s announcement of Rs 583 crore support for organic agriculture and infrastructure development in the state, but raised concerns over the state government’s management of the organic mission.
In a release, the party alleged the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) continues to highlight the state’s achievements in organic agriculture before the Centre to secure financial assistance, but failed to adequately safeguard and strengthen the organic mission.
The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) cited the 2024 suspension of the Sikkim State Organic Certification Agency by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, after it was found that inorganic rice had allegedly been certified and exported as an organic product.
This damaged Sikkim’s reputation in international organic markets and raised concerns about the integrity of the state’s certification system, the SDF alleged.
The opposition also claimed that farmers have expressed concerns about declining support services, access to seeds, market linkages, and certification processes.
It further alleged that the use of inorganic fertilisers and pesticides has increased in parts of the state, potentially undermining Sikkim’s organic status.
Highlighting the origins of the organic mission, the SDF noted the initiative was launched in 2003 under former chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling and culminated in Sikkim becoming India’s first fully organic state in 2016.
The state later received international recognition, including the FAO’s Future Policy Gold Award in 2018.
The party accused the SKM government of treating the Organic Sikkim brand as a “tool of convenience” for attracting Central funds while neglecting implementation on the ground, and called for greater accountability and renewed commitment to preserving the state’s organic legacy.
The SKM government has not publicly responded to the allegations made in the SDF statement.
Saturday, June 27, 2026