A conference on Ladakh organic farming was organised by Hill Council,Leh in collaboration with Ladakh Environment and Health Organisation (LEHO) on August 6 at DC Conference hall, Leh.

Declaration on Biodiverse, Organic and Climate Resilient Himalaya to meet SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) was signed by Hill Council, Leh, Government of Sikkim, Navdanya and LEHO.

Somnath Poudyal, Minister for Agriculture, Govt. of Sikkim on behalf of Pawan Chamling, CM of Sikkim, said that the CM is intended to help and support Leh district in achieving the goal of going organic. 

He asserted that the country will develop only if its agricultural sector grows. The first step for going organic is to have planning and strategy to ensure a strong foundation for its inception. The second step is to motivate, educate and inspire the villagers to adopt organic farming. 

He further added that going organic is a revolution which can be achieved with determination, commitment, vision and resources.

The minister invited a team comprising members of council, government officials and farmers to Sikkim for an exposure tour to learn about ground works in organic farming. 

He assured to send a certificate agency to Leh to provide certification courses and suggested Council to promote organic tourism.  He extended full support from Sikkim government in transforming Leh into an organic district.

Dorjay Motup, CEC expressed gratitude to the minister and his team and informed that the 5th Hill Council is fully determined to make Leh district organic.

Talking about the health and environmental issues he stressed on the need to organise people to work in a coordinated manner to tackle the challenges. He said that with the support of Sikkim government and maturation of this program, Leh will be able to revive its statue of self-sustainability based on agriculture.

Tsering Wangdus, EC Agriculture stressed on the need to think for sustainable development for the future by ensuring land-based economy. He said that Ladakh can learn from Sikkim and replicate their model of being an organic state.

Dr. Vandana Shiva stressed on synergy, convergence and solidarity to promote organic farming and the need to shift focus from globalization to localization. She asserted that the health of people is the real economy and their well-being is the best measuring tool. 

She urged the Council to form a bio-diversity board and suggested to undertake a project with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to measure the nutritional value of wild and improved Seabuckthorn in Leh. 

Khorlo Bhutia gave a power point presentation on Sikkim’s organic journey and spoke about the challenges, way forward and achievements in making Sikkim the first organic state in India. 

He suggested LAHDC to start a certification process for local produces like barley, buckwheat, rajma, apple and apricot. He stressed on the need for holistic policy and to develop a system to transform Leh into an organic district. He further informed about the stepwise procedures and methods to turn organic in years to come.

Tashi Tsetan, Chief Administrative Officer highlighted the current agriculture scenario in the district. He talked about the strengths, scientific interventions, and advance farming initiatives like crop diversification, challenges, opportunities and way forward.

Dr. Mohd Deen, Founder LEHO also spoke on the role of NGOs in organic farming.