Modi calls for more organic India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hopes the entire northeast of his country will follow in the footsteps of Sikkim, which will soon become a fully organic state.
The Business Standard reported the newly elected leader told the Lok Sabha, India's lower house, that Sikkim's achievement was a matter of pride.
"There is a major demand for organic produce in the world today. People today are very much interested in 'holistic healthcare'. They are willing to pay any amount of money for such organic products," Modi was quoted as saying.
"If a small state like Sikkim can do it, why can't we dream of developing the whole of our north-east as an organic state? The Government of India will help it in capturing the global market.
"The farmers of Sikkim have put in some hard work. This has to be expanded. Once that happens, the lives of people living in these hilly states will change for the better."
The story reported the Himalayan state started organic farming in a small area around a decade ago, with now the state is on track to becoming a certified, fully-organic state by the end of next year.