Organic research institute to be set up in Gangtok

NEW DELHI: Agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh has announced establishment of National Organic Farming Research Institute ( NOFRI) at Gangtok, Sikkim during 87th Annual General Meeting of Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

Sikkim has recently been declared as the first organic state in the country. The Institute will provide research and technological backstopping to organic production system in the country in general and north eastern hill 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.