U

[*••1

• --S-il
'I",>L ^ 'j:
5w, 'iar^w^rv
 Agricuhufe Science from Indian
'TA
Agriculture Research Institute, ,.,1
New Delhi, joined Aericulture
Department. Government of Sikkim as
Plant Protection Officer in 1975. He
retired as Princinal Director Agriculture

Agricultural. Horticultural, Luiturai

and Traditional Practices of Sikkim.

These works (25 books on various
subjects in English. Limboo and Nepali
so far) have been published by National
and International publishers.
His contribution have been
acknowledged with veneration bymany
organizations which includes 'Bhanii
Piiraskar\ 1984 by Nepali Sahitya
Parisad, Sikkim; "Hangsephona', 2001
by Yakthung Sapsok Saplon Chumbho,
Namdha Sukhim; and 'Sikkim Sahitya
Samman\ 2012 by the State
Government ofSikkim.

ISBN: 978-93-84077-02-0
Compilation/Editing : Contents
Shri Jash Raj Subba,
Ex-Principal Director Agriculture, Organic Farming
Government of Sikkim 1 Organic Farming - ANeed 1

2 Organic Sikkim: APoliticalWill

to Technologyfor Change 13
Published by:
Sukhim Yakthum Mundhum Saplappa (SVMS), 28
Gangtok, Sikkim.
3 TheRoleofBio-fertilizersinOrganicFarming
4 The Role ofBiodynamic inOrganic Farming 45

5 TheRoleofHI-Tech Horticulture
andPrecision Farming in Organic Farming 55
©: Jash Raj Subba Ca» No All-
AccNo.
Organic FarmingofAgricultural Crops
First Edition: 2014 Organic Maize 68
6
OrganicRice 80
7
Organic Wheat 104
8
Copy: 300
Organic Barley 111
9
Organic FingerMillet 115
10
Organic Buckwheat 122
11
Organic Pulse Crops 127
12
Computer setting by ;
Himadri Printings, 13 Organic Oil Seeds 144

Below Citizen Bank, 14 SeedProduction of Organic

Nam Nag, Gangtok, Sikkim Agricultural Crops 164
Phone No. 94341-44140

Organic Farming ofHorticultural Crops

Printed by: A. Fruits
Shivakoti Printing Press, 15 Organic SubtropicalFruits 174

Nivedita Road, Pradhan Nagar, 16 Organic Temperate Fruits 208

Siliguri - 734003, Hello: 0353-2513918 -iii-

-ii-

•• *•
•.I—*'
Contents

urganicr arming

! Organic Farming -ANeed 1

2 Organic Sikkim: APolitical Will

to Technology for Change 13

3 The Role of Bio-feitilizersin Organic Farming 28

4 The Role of Biodynamic in Organic Farming 45

5 The Role of HI-Tech Horticulture

and Precision Fanning in Organic Farming 55

Organic Farming ofAgricultural Crops

6 Organic Maize 68

7 Organic Rice 80

8 Organic Wheat 104

9 Organic Barley 111

10 Organic Finger Millet 115

11 Organic Buckwheat 122

12 Organic PulseCrops 127

13 Organic OilSeeds 144

14 Seed Production of Organic

AgriculturalCrops 164

Organic Farming ofHorticultural Crops

A. Fruits
15 Organic Subtropical Fruits 174

16 OrganicTemperateFruits 208

-iii-
 B. Spice crops Abbreviations used
17 Organic Spice Crops 232
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services
All-India Coordinated Crop Improvement Project
Active ingredient per hectare
C. Vegetables Boarder Area Development Programme
18 Organic ColeCrops 254 Biodynamic
19 Organic Solanaceous Vegetables 264 Botanical Survey of India
20 Organic Leguminous Vegetables 272
Central Fruit Research Institute
Cow Pat Pit
21 Organic Root Crops 281
Central Potato Research Institute
22 Organic Cucurbitaceous Vegetables 286
Centrally Sponsored Scheme
23 Organic Leafy Vegetables 301 Central Rice Research Institute
24 OrganicBulbCrops 314 Directorate of Econonucs, Statistics and Monitoring and
Evaluation
25 OrganicTuber Crops 319
DONER Department ofDevelopment for North-East Region
26 Miscellaneous OrganicVegetables 331
Education Attainment Index
27 SeedProduction of Organic Vegetable Crops 338 Effective Microorganism
28 Importance of Organic Vegetables 349 Food and Agriculture Organization
29 Kitchen Garden -ANeed for FoodCorporation of India
Organic Vegetables 360 Fermented Plant Extract

30 Off-season Organic Vegetables 368 Fair Price Shop

FS&ADD Food Security andAgriculture Development Department
Farm Yard Manure

D. Floriculture
Gross Development Index
31 Commercial Floriculture Gross Domestic Product
372
Government of Sikkim

\ GSDP jross State Domestic Product

H&C |rticulture and Cash Crop Development Department
IDevelopment Index
^Kush Himalayas
vquinoline cit^^

-IV-
Abbreviations used

AlfA VS : Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services

AICCIP : All-India Coordinated Crop Improvement Project
a.i./ha : Active ingredient per hectare
BADP : BoarderArea Development Programme
ED : Biodynamic
BSI : Botanical Survey of India
CFRI : Central Fruit Research Institute
CPP : Cow Pat Pit
CPRI : Central Potato Research Institute
CSS ; Centrally Sponsored Scheme
CRRI : Centra! Rice Research Institute
DESME : Directorate of Economics. Statistics and Monitoring and
Evaluation

DONER : Department ofDevelopment for North-East Region

EAl : Education Attainment Index
EM : Effective Microorganism
FAO : Food and Agriculture Organization
FQ : Food Corporation of India
FPE : Fermented Plant Extract

ITS : Fair Price Shop

FS & ADD : Food Security and Agriculture Development Department
FYM : Farm Yard Manure

GDI : Gross Development Index

OCT : Gross Demestic Product
GOS : Government of Sikkim
GSDP : Gross State Domestic Product
H&CCDD : Horticulture and Cash Crop Development Department
HDI : Human Development Index
HK-H : Hindu Kush Himalayas
HQC ; Hydroxyquinoline citrate
HYV : High Yielding Variety

-V-
ICIMOD : Inlemational Centre for Integrated Mountain
Development
ICAR : Indian Council of Agricultural Research
IPM : Integrated Pest Management
IRRI : International Rice Research Institute
Lim : Limboolanguage
MFCS : Multi Purpose Cooperative Societies
MSP ; Minimum Support Price
MTA ; MidTermAppraisal
Mt : Metric tonne
NBSS & LUP: National Bureau of Soil Survey & Land Use Planning
NDC : National Development Council
NEC : North Eastern Council
Nep : Nepali language
NER : North-Eastern Region
NHPC : National Hydro Power Corporation
NPK : Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash
NSC : National Seed Coqjoralion
NSDP ; Net State Domestic Product
PCYI : Per Capital Income Index
PDS : Public Distribution System
pH : Range of acidity or alkalinity measurement
RM & DD : Rural Managementand Development Department
SARD : Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development
SARD-M : Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in
Mountainous Region
SSC : State Seed Corporation
TERl : Tata Energy Research Institute
t/h or t/ha ; Tonnes per hectare
q/h or q/ha : Quintal per hectare
UV : Ultra \^olet
VLW : Village Level Worker

-VI-
lOMOD International Centre for Integrated Mountain
Development
ICAR Indian Council ofAgricultural Research
IPM
Integrated Pest Management
KRI
International Rice Research Institute
Um Limboo language Preface
MFCS Multi Purpose Cooperative Societies
MSP The Green Revolution technologies in India, primarily due to
Minimum Suppoit Price
MTA Mid TermAppraisal their faulty application, proved not to be green. However, facing the
Mt
Metric tonne
worst food crisis during 1940s to 1960s, it brought anunprecedented
NBSS&LUP National Bureau ofSoil Survey &Land Use Planning progress in the national food production leading to the alleviation of
NDC
hunger and poverty in the country. It transformed India from a Ship-
National Development Council to-Mouth" situation to the "Right to Food Status", with a sizeable
NBC
North Eastern Council food and agricultural export by 2014. The Green Revolution has now
Nep
Nepali language waned; and there is an urgent need for developing and deploying
NER
North-Eastem Region greener technologies for "Second Green Revolution", to achieve
NHPC desired productivity and environmental sustainabllity systems to
NPK National Hydro PowerCorporation support the ever-growing population of the country. Organic
"••ogen, Phosphorus and Potash
NSC Agriculture could be avital supplementary option for the small and
NSDP National Seed Corporation marginal farmers of the 11 (eleven) mountainous Himalayan Special
PCYl
Net State Domestic Product Category States" of India "to combat the impact of mountain
PDS Per Capital Income Index specificities". FAG definition of "Organic Agriculture is a unique
production management system which promotes and enhances agro-
PH Public Distribution System ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil
RM&dd Rt u^1 anagement alkalinity measurement
and Development Department biological activity, and this is accomplished by using on-farm
SARD agronomic, biological and mechanical methods in exclusion of all
SARD-M ustainableAgriculture and Rural Development synthetic off-farm inputs".

ssc
Mounminous Development Indian organic initiative staried with setting up ofregulatory
mechanism, necessary for exports, rather than technological research
lERl State Seed Corporatition and development. The decision ofgovernment ofSikkim to go organic
t/hor t/ha
Energy Research Institute was based on the premise that farming in this hilly state was
tonnes per hectare traditionally organic before its merger to the Indian Union in 1975;
•3^ orq/ha
W Quintal per hectare andit will be tothebenefit to thefarmers who own anaverage of 1.9
Ultraviolet hectares of farmland with minimal chemical fertilizer use (12 kg/ha
VLW
^'UageUvelWorker
-vu-

-VI-
compared to 90 kg/ha of national average) and inorganic pesticides
even at its post-merger period (2002); butalso to maintain quality of
environment of the state. Furthermore, with the implementation of
'Technology Mission for Integrated Development ofHorticulture in
North-Eastem Region," during the VIII, IX Five Year Plan and
onwards, the farmers of Sikkim had already started cultivation of
'Comparative Advantage Horticultural Crops' in different Agro-
climatic Zones of Sikkim for optimum benefit. The state also has
opportunities to develop niches basedorganicagribusiness enterprises,
providing self employment to educated youth and improving state
economy. Because of unique agro-climatic conditions and traditional
farming cultures, there are recognizable crop produce niche
commodities in Sikkim, such as large cardamom, green ginger,
oranges, quality tea, seed potato, passion fruits, buckwheat, and
temperate and European off-season vegetables. Adding value, by
way of growing these organically, holds the promise to make these
niche commodities, for state tourism, and national and international
markets. There exist strong possibilities of developing the Sikkim
Brand of Organic Commodities.
With these positive points of the state, Shri Pawan Kumar
Chamling, the Chief Minister of Sikkim envisioned to develop the
Sikkim's "Subsistence Agriculture" into a "High-Value Organic
Enterprise" by transforming Sikkimto a "Fully Organic Sikkim"in
2002-03. He made a historic declaration by announcing a policy to
transform Sikkim into 'Totally Organic State"by passinga resolution
in the SikkimLegislative Assemblyin the year 2003.With this, Sikkim
became the first State in the country to enact such a far sighted and
visionary policy of transforming Sikkim into a 'Sustainable Organic
Farming Enterprise'. His dream of transforming every inch of
Sikkimese soilinto organically viable andsustainable enterprise has
been wholeheartedly accepted by the farming community of Sikkim.
This vision of the Chief Minister ofSikkim has become a goal of the
Nation for all theelevenHimalayan 'Special Category States of India'
with the address of the Prime Minister of India in both the Houses of
Parliament on 11'^ June 2014.
-vm-
The Strategy adopted in the initial period (2003-09) to
transform the dream of Organic Sikkim was:
• Formulation of Concept and Action Plan - 'Going for Organic
Sikkim';
• Constitution of Sikkim Slate Organic Board;
• Discouraging use of Chemical Fertilizers and Chemical Pesticides;
• Promoting Organic Manures through Resource Mobilization;
• DevelopmentofBio-Villages;
• Improving and Creating Manure Production Infrastructures;
• Technology Development through Research mobilization;
• Organic Seed Production;
• Soil Health Assessment and Improvement; and
• Conduct of National and State Workshop on Organic Farming
regularly for Road Map preparation and concurrentevaluationof
the progress.
From 2010 onwards, the State Government is implementing
"Organic Mission 2015" to transform the entire "Subsistence
Agriculture" into "High-Value Organic Enterprise" by 2015. The
strategies adopted for the Mission is:
• Institutional Framework setup for Implementation of Sikkim
Organic Mission 2015 - Establishment of Executive Body of
Sikkim Organic Mission;
• Setting upLivelihood Schools on Organic Agriculture;
• Capacity Building ofLocal Youth;
• Technology refinement on Organic Orchard Management;
• Combating Ginger Rhizome Disease in Organic Way;
• Internal Control System (ICS) Development;
• Incentives for Adoption of Organic Farming;
• Improving Organic Inputs for Soil HealthManagement;
• Streamlining Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Organic Way;
• Conducting Workshops and Seminars regularly to clear the
bottlenecks;
• Branding and Marketinglinkages;
• Exploring the Organic Village Tourism;

• Development of Organic Seed Production;
• Adopting Animal Husbandry as part of Organic Mission; and,
• Development and Adoption of Participatory Guarantee System
(PCS) for Organic Certification and Sustainable Organic Fanning;
The two books on organic farming in Sikkim already published
namely, "SikkimTowards Fully Organic State by 2015" by FS&ADD
and H&CCDD, Government of Sikkim, and "Organic Sikkim leading
the Change" by Tej Pratap and C.S. Vaidya. The books have
highlighted thedetails of "Road Map" and"Push factors based organic
strategy" inclusive of "Sikkim - Organic Mission 2015". Dr. Tej Pratap
and C.S. Vaidya have also emphasized the next step, i.e.. implementing
"thepull factors based strategy." "Yuma, Arizona... Showing What
We're Growing?" Arizona State of USA demonstrated the best
example of promoting Agri-Tourism in the world. Similar benefits
could be harnessed in Sikkim also in future.
This book entitled "Organic Sikkim - Technology for Change"
has documented the technologies on 'Organic Farming' presently
available with us. The book may be useful for extension functionaries,
educated youth and the farmers in general who are involved in
transforming the'Substance Agriculture into a High-Value Organic
Enterprise' and thus 'reduce the impact of mountain specificities' in
the Hindu-Kush Himalayan Region.
-X-
'Kr''-r9''
Organic Farming - A Need
.-.2
Organic Farming is gaininggrounds in the wake of serious threat
to Food Security and restoration of our natural resources of land,
water and rich biodiversity of flora and fauna in Sikkim. As the land
resources are shrinking, the per capita available land has come to
around 0.10 ha. Soil degradation due to erosion (16 t/ha. on an
average) entails a tremendous lossofnutrients in a highrainfall region
likeSikkim. Water logging particularly incommandareasespecially
during summer in Sikkim makes crop production difficult. Our
resources are also not well managed. Deforestation, intensive
cultivation without organic matter, excessive irrigation without
drainage, dryland and rainfed farming without scientific land
management practices have all undermined our wealth resources.
With intensivefarmingsystemssincethe dawn ofdemocracyin 1975
A.D., spring water resources are also depleting. Reservoirs and
other water-bodies have lost their capacity due to disturbance of
naturaldrainagesystems causedbyruralroadnetworkconstruction
and urban settlements. With enhanced use offertilizers and pesticides
from the dawn ofdemocracy due to intensive cultivation of crop till
2002, the quantity and quality of land, water, biodiversity have
tremendously affected.
Fertilizers have been found to contain lead, cadmium and
radium226,a fact, whichwasnotrecognized hitherto (Ureacontains
5 ppmlead and 1ppm cadmium; DAP contains 188 ppm leadand
109ppm cadmium; Super Phosphate contains 609 ppm lead and
187 ppm cadmium). Some of the common pesticides are highly
toxic and affect our food chain (Malathion - Toxic >40 times on
breaking down; Aldrin, Dieldrin, Lindane, BHC,HCH, DDT, 2,4-
Dpersistent infood chain). Persistent organic pollutants are deadly
-1-
 poisons. Residual effects ofpesticides arehigh infruits andvegetables.
Potablewaterfordrinking, soil fertility, environment andhumanhealth
' would be severely affected. Our market survey indicates that the
fruits and vegetables are highly contaminated with pesticides.
Spinach, cauliflower, bhindi andbrinjal arewith pesticides andheavy
metals chromium (0.97 mg/1) and cadmium (0.02 mg/1). The
consequences of continuous use of fertilizers and pesticides over a
prolonged period revealed that: 70% of leached NO, and agro-
chemicals reach water bodies; soil fertility build up is neglected;
imbalance in use of nutrients; micro-nutrient deficiencies increase;
toxins build up in soils; and pesticides cause decline in pollination,
due to mortality of pollinators; etc.
Basic Information on Organic Farming
1.0 Definition ;
Organic farming isfirst andforemost anapproach toagriculture-
horticulture-sylviculture system where theaim istocreate integrated,
humane, environmentally and economically sustainable production
systems, which promote soil, plant, animal and environmental health
and well being. It is also defined as a policy seeking to promote
technically sound, economically viable, environmentally non-
degrading, and sociallyacceptable use of natural resources- land,
waterand geneticendowmentto promotesustainable development
of agriculture. It is a production process of organic food products
underthe legally enforceable standards andissubject totight controls
on inputs and an increasing number ofconsumers for high standards
of assurance about production methods.
2.0 Why Organic Farming?
"Organic Farming" is essential - to restore our natural
resources, to safeguard our environment and to obtain pesticide-
residue-free vegetables, fruits, spices andotherfood commodities.
-2-
"OrganicFarming"is now regarded as the bestsolution.Organicor
Ecological Farming has been observed tobefeasible inthelongrun
interms ofsoil fertility, stability ofcrop yields andeconomy. Though
labourexpenses are high inorganic farming the input costs especially
fromexternal sources areminimal, thus effecting goodreturns. This
isinspite of lower yields byabout 10percentin the initial years of
"Conversion" in the organic farms or orchards. Production offhiits
(47 mt), vegetables (81 mt), cashew (0.43 mt), arecanut (0.3 mt)
and other horticultural crops on about 7 per cent of total cultivated
area under all cropsconsumedaround24 per cent of the pesticides
used in the country (2002). Even if 40 to 50 per cent of the area
underthese cropsin thecountry israised organically, they can redress
theecological disaster to a great extent. Besides, theyfetch a high
premium of20 to 30 per cent for vegetables and sometimes 100 to
200 per cent for fruits. Export of organically produced fruits and
vegetables can be promoted. From this country's scenario, the
ecological disasterandthe futurefate of biodiversity hotspot- Sikkim
could be imagined.
3.0 Concerns and urgency to adopt Oi^anic
Farming:
Major concerns to be examined if we do not switch over to
organicfarmingare:
i Fertilizer consumption will raise to 30 m tonnes by 2025 A.D.
from the current level of 15 m tonnes;
ii. The demandfor pesticideswould doublefrom the current0.8
lakhtoiuies;
iii Drainingthe exchequergoes unabatedfor buyingfertilizers and
chemicals and if subsidies are not cut down;
iv. Even with the increase in the use of fertilizers and chemicals,
the rate offood production may not increase;
-3-
 "Organic Fanning" is now regarded as the best solution. Organic or
poisons. Residual effects ofpesticides are high in fiiiits and vegetables. Efcological Farming has been observed to be feasible in the long mn u I..

Potable fordrinking, soil fertility, environment and human health
would be severely affected. Our market survey indicates that the
fruits and vegetables are highly contaminated with pesticides.
Spinach, cauliflower, bhindi and brinjal are with pesticides and heavy
tnetals chromium (0.97 mg/1) and cadmium (0.02 mg/1)-
consequences ofcontinuous use offertilizers and pesticides over a
prolonged period revealed that: 70% of leached NO, and agro-
chenucals
"ti ^ce inreach waterbodies;micro-nutrient
use ofnutrients; soil fenility build up is neglected,
deficiencies increase,
ins uild up in soils; and pesticides cause decline in pollitiatict''
dueto mortalityofpollinators; etc.
asic Information on Organic Farming
1.0 Definition:
internis ofsoil fertility, stability ofcrop yields and economy. Though 9
labourexpenses are high in organic fanning the input costs especially
from external sources areminimal, thus effecting good retums. This
is in spite oflower yields by about 10 per cent in the initial years of
"Conversion" inthe organic farms ororchards. Production offhiits
(47 mt), vegetables (81 mt), cashew (0.43 mt), arecanut (0.3 mt)
and other horticultural crops onabout 7 percentof total cultivated
area under all crops consumed around 24 per cent ofthe pesticides
used in the country (2002). Even if 40 to 50 percent of the area
underthese crops inthe country israised organically, they can redress
the ecological disaster toa great extent. Besides, they fetch ahigh
premium of20 to 30 per cent for vegetables and sometimes 100 to
200 per cent for fruits. Export oforganically produced fruits and
vegetables can be promoted. From this country's scenario, the
ecological disaster and the future fate ofbiodiversityhotspot- Sikkim
could be imagined.

humane envirJ*'^" diresystem where the aim is to create

sys^sX^n^'^^^^'^^dallysustainablepmdu^ 3.0 Concerns and urgency to adopt Organic
Farming:
andwellbeine ^'^^^'P'^' dnimalandenvironmental ^ Major concerns to beexamined ifwedonotswitch over to
technic^lv'nn H as apolicy seeking to organic farming are:
degrading and so ' viable, environmentally "
waterand genetic TH^ ^se ofnatural resources - . i Fertilizer consumption will raise to30mtonnes by2025 A.D.
riculture Tti ^ sustainable develop from the current level of 15 m tonnes;
rth,=.u^..)i ^^^'^dction process oforeanic food pf^
i The demand for pesticides would double from the current 0.8
lakh tonnes;

iil Draining the exchequer goes unabated for buying fertilizers and
.0 Why Organic Farming? j chemicals and if subsidies are not cut down;

iv. Even with the increasein the use of feitilizeis and chemicals,
resoiircesaosafeI""^H^" -to restore our the rate offood production may not increase;
residue-free veer environment and to obtain p^^^ . g -3-
^ spices and otherfood
-2-
 V. Safe food and residue-free vegetables and fhiits would not be
available;
I vi. Other sadand catastrophic effects that follow would undermine
our resources and lead us to permanent sickness and even to
4.1 Advantages:
our death knells!
viL Leached nitrates, phosphates and agro-chemicals reach water
bodies making them unfit for drinking. While 45 mg NOj/litre
is the upper limit for portability, many ofour wells and other
water sources exceed this limit. Oxygen is depleted.
Accumulation ofNO, in the human bladder can lead tocancer,
viii. Pesticide-residues observed in ourvegetables and fmits, in
many instances have reached lOlo 120 ppm.
ix. Even breast milk has become unsafe as presence of DDT is
detected in breast milk;
X. Food chain isaffected leading toeco system imbalance and
atrophies in man and animals;
xi. Continuous threat to Bio-diversity offlora and fauna, exists
with intensivechemical-agri-horti-sylviculture systems, and
xiL Sikkim has an amazing natural environment, with arich variety
offauna and flora within avery small geographical area. Indeed
such is the variety, that the area is termed as abiodiversity
"hotspot"-oneofonlytwoinIndia(and thirtyfour worldwide).
Although Sikkimcomprises only0.2% ofthe land areaofIndia,
it contains an astounding 26% ofthe nation's biodiversity
(including 4,500 species offlowering plants, 550 species of
birds and more than 600 species ofbutterflies). Unless Organic
Farming is adopted there is acontinuous threat to the State's
Biodiversityofflora and fauna with theintensive chemical-agri-
horti-sylvicultuie systeminthebiodiversi^'liotspot''ofSikkim.
-4-
4.0 Advantages and disadvantages of Organic
Farming:
• Envisages developing and maintaining an ecological system
.
where nature solves problems with proper management,
thereby offering clearbenefits to the environment.
• Does help in conserving natural resources and in improving
biodiversity;
• Energy use in organic faiming systems is lower than that in
conventional farming systems,
. Contributes to reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and
pollution;
. Have been found to conserve or promote soil fertility and
stnictuie moreeffectivelythan conventionalcounterparts. Soils
oforganicfarms havehigherorganicmattercontentmgeneral,
. The manure management under organic fanning systems
advocates the use oforganicfertilizers, m^ures, compos^
andlegumesaspartofrDtations.TTiepracUcehasdemonstra^
to minimize therateofnitrateleachingperhectarefrom soil as
compared to conventional farming systems;
. Prohibited from using herbicides, fungicides and pesticides,
runoff and spraydrift pose no problems;
• Envisagescontainingbioticpressuresonland;
• Some evidences show that cows have more lactations and
longer life expectation;
. The restrictions that the standards impose on antibiotic use
provide astimulus for organic farms to adopt husbandry
-5-
.liG— '• ' • ' _ — .
M - r '
. ^ r>
111!
 fertilizers, bio-feitilizers, manures, bio-pesticides andbeneficial
methods that are health and welfare friendly; micro-organisms;
Produces social and economic benefits; Lack of trained manpower for organic food production;
> >illi

^prove upon the prevalent mixed farming system by Lackof well-equipped andscientifically manned quality control
grating farming systems in more scientific and sustainable laboratory;
erto generate steady farm incomes;
Lack of organicanimalfeeds;
relian^^Paced^^velopment
on locally oroffarming
farm derivedsector with maximum
renewable resources; Lack ofco-operative marketing fororganic foods;

Implicit within the overall organic 5.0 Initial Difficulties in switching over to
satisfyingenlightened Organic Farming:
producer and consumer aspirations; practices, Organic Farming tobe adopted on a large scale offers itsshare
ofdifficulties infinding alternatives to fertilizers andplantprotection
chemical pesticides which the agriculturists are so accustomed
programmestom
and not to treat thf
precaution. I
problem from happenm^i
hitherto. Package ofpractices tobeadopted for the crops inquestion
problem once it emerges. are not readily available for organic farming. Inputs fororganic
farming especially for disease and pest management involve labour
4.2 Disadvantages; intensive practices. This indigenous traditional knowledge needs to
beexplored. Considering the nature ofhazards that these chemicals

, avadable^no^oXbS^kl^^^ requisiteoftheorganic
country;inputs
land us in leading to upheavalsin health and harmonyof nature,we
^ ^^utin whole have to shun these chemicals right now. In Sikkim, the people are
very richinindigenous knowledge systems whetheritis forindigenous
ititwouldbeve,^diffl^'
Wouldbe vervdiffi^^f^
f^ research information
informati and suppo^^' food resources management systems or bio-diversity protection
fanning;
fammg; *• convince
txinvince farmers lto adopt
e--organic
- systems. Otherwise also, the state has started using these chemical
fertilizers and pesticides since 1975-76 onwards only and their
consumptionis also to a limitedextent.
foodprodnctio™'™'^ "ganic standards so far for organic
Safe usethrough Integrated Nutrition Management (INM) and
• ^""'^creditaUon and cemr • been Integrated PestManagement (IPM) is nottenable andacceptable if
trained till to datp In ".-v-uuiniy-
"irication procedures have "Organic Standards" have to be adhered to. The very manufacture
^^tnthecountrv
' ^ganicfoodmarlcPte
- nrr>o„:_r. of thesedeadly poisons is not safeto biosphere andhumanwelfare
eitherfornoworforfuture. Letourpeople andgenerations to come
' ^kofinfinstm developed;
fnrproduction oforganic seeds, organic -7-

-6-

SSSi
 pnce. Thus organic produce for internal consumption and for
mmmercialexportable market surplus needs to confirm to Organic
standards and theserequire proper"Certification" and "Labeling".
^ ^'^^^Tradeinoiganicagriculturalproductshasbeenregulated
world trade in organic products:
bylawmainlythrough organizations listed.
"" byNOSB (TheNational
ProductionAct, 1990. Rules
Organic Standards are framed
Board).
n. EEC-Regulationson"OiganicAgriculture, 1991 (2092/91).
iii ^eBasicRulesofIFOAM (TheInternational Federation of
^g^cMovements) withHeadquarter at Thaley in Germany
has framed mles for organic agriculture.
IV- CodexAlimentarius"oftheFAO(FoodandAgriculture
Orgamzation). These guidelines are parallel to the EEC
Regulation and guide the Uw-makers.
7.1 IFOAM-INDU Standards:
and "Concepts, Principles
IFOAM
8.0 Certification:
recognizLrertl^ngagencf^^^^^^
produce in accordance with the h '
""""'"=''"8
convertedand thisperiodmaybe4to5yets Tmth ®'' "'dT
producetsnotthom-Orgatncagdcuiiurairdutttctr^^^^^
wi£h such labeling.Recordsof conversionperiod and thereafteron
inputs, crop yields, their use and markedng have to be maintained.
Thebiological potential of thesoil has to beupgraded through green
manure, cultivation of legumes,incorporationof organic material
and compost preferablyproducedwithinthe farm.Pestsand diseases
have to be controlled by a combination ofmeasures such as rotation,
choice of species andvarieties, mechanical cultivation, encouraging
naturalenemies of pestsetc. Inspectionandcertificationare essential
in five areas;
L Crop production;
iL Animal husbandry;
iiL Storage and transportation;
iv. Processing and packaging; and
V. Labeling and consumer information.
At the beginning, the producer and the inspection body should
draw up full details of areas earmarked for organic cultivation and
all other production details followed by storage, processing,
transportation and marketing arrangements. Documentation or
™ written documents be kept for inspection for two to three scheduled
visits and one unannouncedinspection.List of permittedmaterials
oforganic and mineral origin have to be studied before using them.
Most organic forms such as FYM, Poultry manure, slurry straw,
plant residues etc., should be composted well before use. Basic
slag, naturalrock phosphate, limestone, chalk, gypsum, clay etc.
may beused butneeds tobegenerally approved for limited use as
perneeds bythe inspection body. Plant diseases and pests heave to
becontrolled through approved preparations of plantextracts and
to a limitedextent throughsulphur, bordeaxmixture etc.