**Executive Summary**
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) organized the Sikkim Organic Conclave-cum-International Buyer Seller Meet (IBSM) in Gangtok, Sikkim. A Knowledge Report on the supply chain and export readiness of Sikkim's organic produce was released. The event, held around February 28, 2026, aimed to strengthen Sikkim's organic export ecosystem and promote organic exports from India.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Conclave Overview:**
* Organized by APEDA in collaboration with the Government of Sikkim and IFOAM-Asia.
* Featured the release of a Knowledge Report titled “Study on Supply Chain & Export Readiness for Organic Farm Products in Sikkim,” prepared by NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL).
* **Report Objectives:**
* Strengthen Sikkim's organic export ecosystem.
* Improve infrastructure and streamline processes.
* Enhance aggregation and ensure transparent price discovery.
* Promote strategic market positioning.
* Improve export competitiveness while ensuring sustainability, traceability, and farmer-centric growth.
* **Buyer-Seller Meet:**
* Involved around 40 buyers from 17 countries and 20 Indian exporters.
* Featured participation from approximately 100 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs/FPCs) from Sikkim.
* Coordinated by the Department of Agriculture & Horticulture, Government of Sikkim, and the Sikkim Organic Farming Development Agency (SOFDA).
* **Exhibition:**
* Showcased Sikkim's certified organic products, including Large Cardamom, GI-tagged Dalle Khursani, Sikkim Mandarin, Buckwheat, Turmeric, and Orchids.
* **Technical Session:**
* Sensitized stakeholders on the 8th Edition of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
* Covered updated regulations and labeling requirements.
* Aimed to enhance awareness among exporters, FPOs, and certification bodies regarding compliance standards and traceability norms.
* **Post-Conclave Activities:**
* Included field visits by international buyers and exporters to organic production clusters in Sikkim.
* Provided first-hand exposure to organic farming practices, traceability systems, and post-harvest handling.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Sikkim Farmers and FPOs**
* **Impact:** Expected to benefit from strengthened farm-to-market linkages, enhanced buyer confidence, and increased market access for their organic produce.
* **Action Required:** Engage with buyers during field visits, implement recommended farming practices and traceability systems, and adhere to quality standards.
**Stakeholder: APEDA**
* **Impact:** Responsible for continuing initiatives to promote organic exports, expand market access, and build capacity among FPOs and exporters.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor and support the organic export sector in Sikkim.
**Stakeholder: Exporters**
* **Impact:** Will benefit from increased access to organic produce from Sikkim, improved supply chain efficiency, and enhanced market opportunities.
* **Action Required:** Participate in field visits, establish relationships with FPOs, and ensure compliance with quality standards and export regulations.
**Stakeholder: Government of Sikkim**
* **Impact:** Will benefit from increased economic activity, enhanced brand reputation as an organic state, and improved livelihoods for farmers.
* **Action Required:** Continue to support organic farming practices, streamline export processes, and coordinate efforts with APEDA and other stakeholders.
Key Entities Referenced
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA): The primary organizing body behind the Sikkim Organic Conclave-cum-International Buyer Seller Meet (IBSM), responsible for promoting organic exports.
Sikkim: Location of the Organic Conclave-cum-International Buyer Seller Meet (IBSM) and focus of the knowledge report on supply chain and export readiness for organic farm products.
Sikkim Organic Conclave-cum-International Buyer Seller Meet (IBSM): A conclave organized to promote organic exports, expand market access, and build capacity among FPOs and exporters in Sikkim.
National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP): The 8th Edition of the NPOP was discussed during a technical session, covering updated regulations and labelling requirements related to organic production.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
APEDA Organises Sikkim Organic Conclave-
cum-International Buyer Seller Meet in Gangtok
Knowledge Report on Supply Chain and Export Readiness of
Sikkim’s Organic Produce Released at Conclave
Posted On: 28 FEB 2026 12:56PM by PIB Delhi
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the
Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, in collaboration with the Government of Sikkim
and in association with IFOAM-Asia, organised the Sikkim Organic Conclave-cum-International Buyer
Seller Meet (IBSM) in Gangtok, Sikkim.
During the Conclave, a Knowledge Report titled “Study on Supply Chain & Export Readiness for Organic
Farm Products in Sikkim” was released. Prepared by NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL), the
report outlines a roadmap to strengthen Sikkim’s organic export ecosystem through improved
infrastructure, streamlined processes, enhanced aggregation, transparent price discovery and strategic
market positioning. It identifies measures to improve export competitiveness while ensuring sustainability,
traceability and farmer-centric growth.
The event witnessed significant international participation, with around 40 buyers from 17 countries
including South Korea, UAE, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Singapore, Norway, Kuwait and the United
Kingdom, among other key markets. About 20 leading Indian exporters, including NCEL, Basillia
Organics, Flex Foods and Nexton, participated in a structured Buyer–Seller Meet with approximately 100
Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs/FPCs) from Sikkim. The interaction was coordinated by the
Department of Agriculture & Horticulture, Government of Sikkim, and the Sikkim Organic Farming
Development Agency (SOFDA).
The inaugural session was graced by Minister for Agriculture, Government of Sikkim, Shri Puran Kumar
Gurung; Chairman, APEDA, Shri Abhishek Dev; Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Agriculture
and Horticulture, Government of Sikkim, Shri Jigmee Dorjee Bhutia; Executive Director, IFOAM
Organics Asia, Ms. Jennifer H. Chang; along with other senior dignitaries and officials from APEDA, the
Government of Sikkim and stakeholders from the organic and export sector.
An exhibition featuring around 12 exhibitors showcased Sikkim’s certified organic products, including
Large Cardamom, GI-tagged Dalle Khursani, Sikkim Mandarin, Buckwheat, Turmeric and Orchids. The
exhibition highlighted the State’s diverse and export-ready organic produce and attracted interest from
international buyers.
Sikkim became India’s first fully organic state in 2016, enabling its produce to gain recognition under
APEDA’s export certification system. The State was conferred the Future Policy Gold Award by the
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 2018 in recognition of its leadership in organic
agriculture.A technical session was also conducted to sensitise stakeholders on the 8th Edition of the National
Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), covering updated regulations and labelling requirements. The
session aimed to enhance awareness among exporters, FPOs and certification bodies regarding compliance
standards, traceability norms and international equivalence requirements, thereby reinforcing India’s
credibility in global organic trade.
The second phase of the event includes field visits by international buyers and exporters to high-potential
organic production clusters in Sikkim. The visits are intended to provide first-hand exposure to certified
organic farming practices, traceability systems, post-harvest handling and value addition processes.
Interactions with farmers and FPOs are expected to strengthen farm-to-market linkages and enhance buyer
confidence in Sikkim’s quality standards and export readiness.
Through initiatives such as the Organic Conclave-cum-IBSM, APEDA continues to promote organic
exports, expand market access, build capacity among FPOs and exporters and position Sikkim as an
important contributor to India’s growing organic export sector.
***
Abhishek Dayal/Shabbir Azad/Anushka Pandey
(Release ID: 2233856) Visitor Counter : 431
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Punjabi , Tamil