With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements:

1. ‘The National Programme for Organic Production’ (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

2. ‘The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority’ (APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP.

3. Sikkim has become India’s first fully organic State.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: 2 and 3 only

Let us analyze each statement step-by-step to understand the details of organic farming initiatives and policy implementations in India.

Statement 1: Incorrect
The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, not the Ministry of Rural Development. NPOP provides an institutional framework for the accreditation of certification bodies and standards for organic production, processing, and exports.

Statement 2: Correct
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), which functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, acts as the Secretariat for the implementation of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).

Statement 3: Correct
In January 2016, Sikkim officially became India’s first 100% organic state after fully converting around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land into certified organic cultivation.

Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.