Ladakh becomes India’s first fully organic Union Territory, individual farmer certification next

Ladakh has been declared India’s first fully organic Union Territory, with individual farmer certification set to be the next step in the region’s transition to chemical-free agriculture, according to a report by The Times of India.

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced on Sunday, crediting farmers and the administration’s efforts to promote organic cultivation across Leh and Kargil.

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The move is expected to help farmers secure better prices and expand market access for local produce, including apricots, sea buckthorn, buckwheat, barley and vegetables.

The administration’s push towards organic farming gained momentum after a ban on the procurement, sale, distribution and use of chemical and synthetic fertilisers across the Union Territory in July. The measure aims to protect soil and water resources and safeguard Ladakh’s organic status.

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Earlier, in March, the administration had arranged for organic fertilisers to be distributed across villages ahead of the sowing season to support farmers in making the transition.

The next phase will focus on organic certification for individual farmers, which could help establish the credentials of their produce and improve its prospects in markets seeking organically grown food.

The administration is also looking to strengthen market linkages and value chains to ensure that the region’s organic status translates into higher incomes and sustainable livelihoods for farmers.

(With inputs from TOI)