More than 76,000 hectares of land in Sikkim has been converted into certified organic farms under the Organic mission and is providing employment to over 400 local youths.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had officially declared Sikkim a fully organic state in 2015. The state agriculture department has said, six centers have been established to certify farming land following international standard.

AIR correspondent reports that the state government has recently announced the cash award of one crore rupees to a local farmer for qualitative organic farming. In addition, the state is also considering a “Kisan Pension Scheme” with the provision of pension for all the Organic farmers in Sikkim.

The farmers, who are actively engaged in organic farming upon reaching the age of 50 years, will be provided a monthly pension of 1,000 rupees. This benefit will be provided to one person in the family. Efforts are also being made to connect agriculture with tourism.