In Sikkim, PM Narendra Modi bats for organic farming, names two orchid varieties

PM Modi unveiled three new varieties of Orchid developed in Sikkim.

Citing the successful example of Sikkim, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday batted for expansion of organic farming across the country as part of efforts to transform the agriculture sector entailing better remuneration for the farmers.


Addressing a conference of Agriculture Ministers of states here, he also pitched for creating farming-oriented mobile phone apps, online mandis and value addition to farming while talking about the benefits of the recently-announced Crop Insurance Scheme and the Soil Health Card.

As a means of financial security to farmers who suffer due to vagaries of weather, Modi suggested that they should divide their farming activities into three equal parts — regular farming involving crop production, growing of trees for economically-valuable timber and animal husbandary.

He said timber and animal husbandary products could act as fallback options in case the crop fails and the farmer would not face the situation of “helplessness”.

To address the problem of fruit wastage, he said he had asked the companies producing aerated drinks to mix 5 per cent of fruit juice in these products so that the farmers don’t suffer financial losses.

“If we see farmers, agriculture and villages in pieces, then the country will not benefit. We have to see agriculture in a holistic manner,” the Prime Minister said, adding he had come here with Agriculture Ministers of all the states to discuss how to transform India’s agriculture.

Referring to the host state, he said Sikkim is scaling new heights of development while keeping environment protected.