Business

Sikkim to have National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI)

Union Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Radha Mohan Singh has announced the establishment of National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI) at Gangtok, Sikkim, during the 87th Annual General Meeting of Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Sikkim has recently been declared as the first organic state in the country.

Singh informed that the Institute will provide research and technological backstopping to Organic Production System in the country in general and North East Hills Region in particular. 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. Besides, it will impart vocational and advanced training to stakeholders for promotion of organic farming in the country. Required financial resources, manpower and infrastructure facilities will be made available accordingly.