The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), together with the Government of Sikkim and IFOAM-Asia, organized the Sikkim Organic Conclave-cum-International Buyer Seller Meet (IBSM) in Gangtok. This event featured the release of a comprehensive knowledge report entitled “Study on Supply Chain & Export Readiness for Organic Farm Products in Sikkim,” prepared by NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL). The report aims to outline a strategic roadmap for strengthening Sikkim’s organic export ecosystem by enhancing infrastructure, streamlining processes, improving product aggregation, establishing transparent pricing mechanisms, and positioning Sikkim strategically in the market. It emphasizes the need for sustainability, traceability, and a focus on farmer-centric growth to bolster export competitiveness.
The conclave attracted noteworthy international participation, with approximately 40 buyers from 17 different countries, including South Korea, UAE, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. Over 20 prominent Indian exporters engaged in a structured Buyer-Seller Meet with around 100 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs/FPCs) from Sikkim, facilitated by the Department of Agriculture & Horticulture and the Sikkim Organic Farming Development Agency (SOFDA). Notable dignitaries at the inaugural session included Sikkim’s Minister for Agriculture, Puran Kumar Gurung, Chairman of APEDA, Abhishek Dev, and other key officials from APEDA and the Government of Sikkim.
The event also showcased an exhibition featuring 12 exhibitors displaying Sikkim’s certified organic products, such as large cardamom, GI-tagged dalle khursani, Sikkim mandarin, buckwheat, turmeric, and orchids, underscoring the state’s diverse and export-capable organic offerings. Notably, Sikkim was designated as India’s first fully organic state in 2016, thereby enabling its products to qualify under APEDA’s stringent export certification system. In recognition of its leadership in organic agriculture, Sikkim received the Future Policy Gold Award from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 2018.
Additionally, a technical session was conducted to inform stakeholders about the 8th Edition of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), focusing on updated regulations and labeling requirements. This session aimed to raise awareness on compliance standards and traceability norms essential for reinforcing India’s credibility in global organic trade. Looking forward, the second phase of the event includes field visits by international buyers and exporters to organic production clusters within Sikkim. These visits will allow firsthand exposure to certified organic farming practices and enhance interactions with farmers and FPOs, thereby strengthening linkages between farm and market, and enhancing buyer confidence in Sikkim’s quality and export readiness. Through initiatives like the Organic Conclave-cum-IBSM, APEDA is actively promoting organic exports, expanding market access, enhancing the capacity of FPOs and exporters, and positioning Sikkim as a key player in India’s burgeoning organic export sector.