Introduction

Radha Mohan Singh approved the creation of the National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI) in Gangtok, Sikkim.

Sikkim is a fully organic state, which means all agriculture in the state is chemical fertilizer/pesticide-free through state legislation. This makes the state an ideal location for further research on this practice.

The Institute

According to an official note:

The institute will undertake basic, strategic and adaptive research on efficient, economically viable and environmentally sustainable organic farming systems for improving productivity, resource use efficiencies and quality of produce.

Times of India reported that: “Required financial resources, manpower and infrastructure facilities will be made available accordingly.”

Conclusion

Organic farming is an important direction for the government to move to provide affordable and clean food products to the ever-growing population of India. Farming without expensive chemicals is both safer for the public and cheaper for the farmers. While there are financial costs associate with growing 0rganicly, the benefit of being environmentally safe is an important consideration for future expansion of organic farming in India.