Sikkim IFFCO Organics is formed to promote & market the organic produce of Sikkim and other North-Eastern states of the country.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang laid the foundation stone of Integrated Organic Food Processing units of Sikkim IFFCO Organics Ltd in Rangpo, East Sikkim on Sunday . ’Integrated Organic Food Processing’ units in Rangpo will be set up with an investment of more than Rs 50 crores.
Sikkim IFFCO Organics Ltd. is a joint venture between the world’s biggest fertilizer cooperative IFFCO and the Government of Sikkim. It is formed to promote & market the organic produce of the country, especially from the State of Sikkim and other North-Eastern states of the country.
The major commercial crops in which Sikkim IFFCO will operate are Ginger, Turmeric, Large Cardamom and Buckwheat. The initial cost of the project is Rs 50 Crore. The manufacturing will start from December, 2020. All SIFCO products will be certified 100 per cent organic so it will be non-toxic in nature.
First state to go 100 % organic
“Sikkim is the first state of India to go 100 per cent organic, committing itself to attain sustainable agriculture and to promote the Green Himalayan Economy”, said Tamang Chief Minister, Sikkim. He also added that the joint-venture is a step in the direction of a safer food supply chain and environment protection.
Setting an example of organic farming
Tamang stressed that the joint venture will ensure that the state of Sikkim fulfils the mission of doubling farmers’ income highlighted by the Government of India. He urged farmers of Sikkim to establish the gold standards of organic farming for not only farmers of India but the farmers of the world by showing them how we can ensure a healthier world yet making profit through organic farming.
Boost for economy
Union Minister of Agriculture Narender Singh Tomar appreciated IFFCO and Government of Sikkim’s initiative to strengthen organic agriculture in the country and honing its capability to provide livelihood to the local farmers. This will help to boost economy of North Eastern states of India which are specifically dependent on agriculture.
Dr U. S. Awasthi, MD, IFFCO said this is the beginning of a new era of organics at IFFCO. “Farmers can achieve any feat once they embrace food-processing with open arms as it ensures value addition to the crops, which in turn ensures farmers make most profit out of their produce”.
Dr Awasthi also said that ,”It is IFFCO’s objective to begin this new decade with sustainable and environment-friendly agriculture for the farmers of the country. SIFCO will be capable of promoting these certified organic products worldwide and enhancing the 100 per cent organic image of Sikkim state globally, he added. IFFCO has made dedicated efforts to retain soil fertility and ecological health by introducing organic fertilizers also”.
It bears recall that SIFCO has already signed two MoUs– one with Blossoms Biodynamics, USA for utilizing their marketing & distribution in the North American markets and the other with Centre Dr Rudolfa Steinera, Croatia for marketing its products in Croatia and the European Union.
