UPSC Mains 2018 GS Paper 3 Q8: model answer
Sikkim is the first ‘Organic State’ in India. What are the ecological and economical benefits of Organic State?
What the question wants
Explain the ecological and economic benefits of Sikkim being an organic state.
How to structure it
Ecological, then economic.
- Context
- Ecological benefits
- Economic benefits
- Limits
- Lessons
How to think it through
Sikkim adopted a policy in 2003 and was declared fully organic in January 2016, phasing out chemical inputs on about 75,000 ha. It won the FAO-backed Future Policy Gold Award in 2018. Ecological: soil health, biodiversity, clean water, pollinators. Economic: premium prices, tourism, lower input cost. Limits: yield dip, market linkage, cost of certification.
Model answer
In January 2016 Prime Minister Modi declared Sikkim India's first fully organic state. Its 2003 policy had phased out chemical fertilisers and pesticides on about 75,000 ha, and in 2018 it won the Future Policy Gold Award, backed by the FAO, for the world's best agro-ecological policy.
Ecological benefits
- Soil health: organic matter and soil life recover without chemicals.
- Water: no fertiliser run-off into the Teesta's streams and springs.
- Biodiversity: more pollinators, birds and native seed varieties in a Himalayan hotspot.
- Climate: lower emissions from fertiliser manufacture and use.
Economic benefits
- Premium prices for large cardamom, ginger, turmeric and buckwheat.
- Lower input costs: no spending on chemicals.
- Eco-tourism: 'organic Sikkim' is a brand that brings visitors.
- Health savings from less pesticide exposure.
Limits
- Initial yield dip in some crops.
- Weak market links and cold chains; much produce sells without the premium.
- Certification is costly for small growers.
Lessons
Sikkim shows that organic farming is easier in rainfed hill regions with low chemical use to begin with, and that it needs a market strategy, not only a ban.
Draw: A map of Sikkim with the large-cardamom and ginger belts marked.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
Sikkim Organic Mission, 2003 policy, January 2016, Future Policy Gold Award 2018, large cardamom, MOVCDNER, PGSIndia, eco-tourism.
Where most answers lose marks
- Only praising. Mention the yield and market limits to keep the answer balanced.
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Question text as printed in the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) question paper. The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.
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