Italy to adopt Sikkim model of organic farming

Gangtok, Jan 9 (IANS) Italy will be transformed into an "organic country" by adopting the farming policy of Sikkim, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said quoting a communication received from Rome.Speaking to media, Chamling read out a letter he received from the Italian government, citing the prestigious Future Policy Gold Award he had received at the United Nations FAO headquarters in Rome on October 15 last year for turning Sikkim into a "100% organic state".Nicknamed the 'Oscar for best policies,' the award was co-organised with the FAO by The World Future Council (WFC) and IFOAM - Organics International, and recognises "the world's best laws and policies promoting agroecology."While addressing the Italian senate, where Chamling was also honoured on the occasion, he had made an impassioned appeal for the world to adopt organic farming practices.The Chief Minister expressed his happiness and satisfaction at the progress of organic farming in the northeastern state. He said all agricultural produce of Sikkim has become organic as the state government has been working seriously on pushing organic farming as a mission.He said, other than rice, Sikkim would become self-reliant in its organic produce in the next five years. He said Sikkim was marketing ten items of organic produces outside the state.
--IANS ssp/prs