Tourists visiting Sikkim will now have an option to order dishes made
of organically grown vegetables in hotels and restaurants across the
state.
Earlier this month, the state tourism department had asked hoteliers
to list at least one dish made of organic vegetables in their menu. The
Sikkim Hotel and Restaurant Association, an apex body of hoteliers that
has around 300 members, has agreed to the proposal.
State agriculture minister Somnath Poudyal today said he will request
each hotel and restaurant owner to adopt at least one village and
procure organic items directly from the farmers there.
"I held a meeting with the association in Gangtok recently and
requested the members to adopt at least one village (each) so that
middlemen can be avoided. Farmers would be able to sell their produce to
hoteliers directly," Poudyal said in a press conference today.
"Hoteliers have agreed in principle to include an organic dish in the
menu but for that, they need regular supply. By adopting a village that
practices organic farming, both farmers and hoteliers would be in a
win-win situation."
Sikkim banned the use of fertilisers and pesticides in farming in
2008 and now, 74,000 hectare has been brought under organic cultivation
across the state. Some of the locally grown organic vegetables are
potatoes, spinach, peas, beans, tomatoes, cabbages and cauliflowers. On
January 16, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared Sikkim as the first
state in the country to practise organic farming. However, the hotels
and restaurants mostly use vegetables and fruits brought from Siliguri.
"We are yet to ascertain the total requirement but we are confident
that locally grown vegetables are enough to cater to tourists in peak
seasons. Organic items have high nutritional value" said agriculture
secretary, Khorlo Bhutia.
President of Sikkim Hotel and Restaurant Association, Pema Lamtha,
said they will discuss the proposal to adopt villages. "We have agreed
to include organic food in the menu although it might be slightly more
expensive. We will hold a meeting with farmers to work out the
modalities. The rates could be worked out later," he said.
On February 8, tourism minister Ugen Gyasto Bhutia had requested
hoteliers to serve organic food. "We want at least two-three organic
dishes in the menu. Items can be decided by the hoteliers," he said.
He added that a notice with the appeal would be issued by the end of the month.(TT)
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