SIKKIM A PIONEER OF ORGANIC FARMING

Prior to colonization, India was one of the self-sufficient nations in food production and rich in resources for domestic needs. The nation suffered greatly during colonialism as a result of the vested interests of European forces, and the designation of self-sufficiency disappeared. However, following independence, the status of the country was very destitute, and without foreign aid, the country could not fulfil the regular domestic food consumption demands. The great Green Revolution in India changed the entire food production scenario, the country transitioned from a food deficient to a food surplus nation and started commercialization. Though the rapid evolution of agriculture benefited the nation, it came with significant costs, such as desertification, an increase in groundwater salinity, and depletion of the groundwater table. On one side, in terms of food sufficiency, the country's condition stabilized, but on the other side, the expense on environment increased, like overreliance on an inorganic practice damaging the environment and leading to loss for future generations. Sikkim is the first state in India, which has adopted organic farming in 2003. Not only among the states in India but also in the world, Sikkim is standalone that adopted 100 percent organic farming and practicing completely free from man-mad fertilizers, pesticides, etc. The aim of adopting organic farming was to ensure long-term sustenance of soil fertility, protection of the environment and ecology, decreasing the risk of health ailments, and promoting healthy living. This state is at the forefront of our country’s sustainable development in agriculture, rippling up to the development of the state and standing as a role model to the world. This paper uses the existing research papers to study the efficiency of the state's adoption of sustainable practices. It paves the path for other states to adopt organic farming.