In most parts of India, the legacy of the Green Revolution still lingers — characterised by heavy use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. But tucked away in the eastern Himalayas, one state quietly took a different route.

Welcome to Sikkim. Known for its snow-capped mountains and peaceful monasteries, this small northeastern state also holds a powerful environmental milestone: It is India’s first fully organic state.

There were no viral campaigns or sweeping national mandates. Just a bold vision, clear policy, and the will to see it through. What began in 2003 as a state’s commitment slowly transformed into a grassroots revolution that reshaped farming, protected the environment, and inspired the world.

The seed of a bold idea

In 2003, then Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling made a landmark announcement: Sikkim would go 100% organic.

This wasn’t a reaction to a crisis. It was a preemptive move against environmental degradation, declining soil health, and the long-term harms of chemical-based agriculture. By choosing to ban the import and use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, Sikkim declared its intent to farm with nature, not against it.

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