Chief minister Pawan Chamling oversees preparations for Sikkim Organic Festival at Saramsa Garden near Gangtok on Monday.

The three-day fest is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Ridge Park on January 18.

"The preparations are underway on a war footing. The prime minister will visit Ridge Park, Guards Ground and Saramsa Garden," said state agriculture minister Somnath Poudyal. He said Modi would visit Saramsa in East Sikkim on January 19 to see a display of organically grown vegetables. "Around 50 farmers would exhibit their produce," he said.

Modi is also scheduled to declare Sikkim as the first state in the country to practise organic farming. Sikkim had banned chemical fertilisers in 2005.

"Everyone should put in their best efforts to make the event a success," Chamling said .

 

Text by Nirmal Mangar; The Telegraph picture