During the conclave, APEDA released the Knowledge Report titled “Study on Supply Chain & Export Readiness for Organic Farm Products in Sikkim”, prepared by NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL). The report provides a strategic roadmap for enhancing export competitiveness through improved infrastructure, streamlined processes, transparent price discovery, and sustainable, farmer-centric growth. It underscores measures to strengthen traceability, quality assurance, and market positioning for Sikkim’s organic produce.
Global Participation and Buyer-Seller Interactions
The conclave saw participation from approximately 40 international buyers representing 17 countries, including South Korea, UAE, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Singapore, Norway, Kuwait, and the United Kingdom. About 20 leading Indian exporters, including NCEL, Basillia Organics, Flex Foods, and Nexton, interacted with 100 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs/FPCs) from Sikkim. The sessions were coordinated by the Department of Agriculture & Horticulture, Government of Sikkim, and the Sikkim Organic Farming Development Agency (SOFDA).
Inaugural Session and Exhibitions
The inaugural session was graced by Minister for Agriculture, Government of Sikkim, Shri Puran Kumar Gurung; APEDA Chairman Shri Abhishek Dev; Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, Shri Jigmee Dorjee Bhutia; and Ms. Jennifer H. Chang, Executive Director, IFOAM Organics Asia. An exhibition featured 12 stalls displaying Sikkim’s certified organic products such as Large Cardamom, GI-tagged Dalle Khursani, Sikkim Mandarin, Buckwheat, Turmeric, and Orchids. The exhibition highlighted the state’s rich organic produce and attracted strong interest from global buyers.
Sikkim’s Organic Leadership
Sikkim, India’s first fully organic state since 2016, has gained recognition under APEDA’s export certification system. In 2018, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization awarded Sikkim the Future Policy Gold Award for its leadership in organic agriculture. The conclave reinforced Sikkim’s commitment to sustainable, traceable, and export-ready organic production.
Technical Sessions and Field Visits
A technical session introduced stakeholders to the 8th Edition of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), covering updated regulations, labeling standards, traceability norms, and international equivalence requirements. The second phase includes field visits for international buyers and exporters to key organic production clusters, providing firsthand exposure to certified organic farming, post-harvest handling, and value addition practices. These interactions aim to strengthen farm-to-market linkages and boost buyer confidence in Sikkim’s organic quality standards.
Promoting Organic Exports
Through initiatives like the Sikkim Organic Conclave-cum-IBSM, APEDA continues to promote India’s organic exports, expand global market access, build capacity among FPOs and exporters, and position Sikkim as a key contributor to the country’s growing organic sector. The conclave strengthens India’s credibility in the international organic trade ecosystem and highlights the potential of sustainable agriculture.